As well, I believe the penalties for contraband tobacco are far too low to allow us to control the problem. We hear anecdotal information about people getting involved in the contraband market, rather than the illicit drug market, because they know that, if they get caught, the fines will not be very high and that there may be no prison term.
People must be made to understand that activity surrounding contraband cigarettes goes well beyond the simple fact of providing people with contraband cigarettes. There are other activities involved as well. As the RCMP stated, organized crime is behind this and, ultimately, we are encouraging it by buying these cigarettes. In my opinion, police should be in a position to impose much higher fines.