Thank you very much for being here. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to hear your comments and to begin a debate on the whole issue of contraband cigarettes.
Although I realize that the availability of illegal tobacco products is a scourge, my greatest concern relates to prevention among youth. I am part of the generation which was made aware of the harmful effects of tobacco. It is always surprising to hear that, although young people cannot buy their supply of tobacco in convenience stores or regular businesses, they are still the largest consumers of these products.
Consequently, contraband cigarettes are extremely popular with young people. Also, we tend to trivialize the fact that we see young people smoking. Young people are not allowed to buy tobacco products, and yet we see lots of teenagers smoking around the schools. It's really a shame.
We know that certain groups are more vulnerable to contraband tobacco than others. Do you think teenagers are one of those groups, and if so, why?