Witnesses have expressed views that differ from your own, it would seem. However, I would like you to provide a further clarification. I questioned them about the usefulness of electronic marking, and they basically said that it was effective in cases involving counterfeit cigarettes, but that those cases only represent 3 per cent of the illegal market. I am wondering whether you share that opinion.
I would also like to talk about vehicle seizure. I checked this in the legislation. It seems that vehicles can be seized, even in cases involving people who bought cigarettes and are transporting them illegally. However, my impression is that once the vehicle has been seized, the owner can regain possession by putting up a bond. So, the seized vehicle is really nothing more than a security deposit. However, I noted that in the United States, vehicle seizures for all kinds of different offences are an effective punishment.
Do you think that, if we were to seize vehicles systematically and publicize the information, there would be fewer people buying cigarettes on the reserves?