Mr. Speaker, the sale of contraband cigarettes has taken off again. According to several studies, contraband is now ranked second in sales in Quebec and Ontario. The federal and provincial governments lose $1.6 billion in tax revenues annually. Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada has determined that the lower cost of illegal cigarettes threatens progress in the fight against tobacco addiction, particularly among young people.
Is the Minister of Public Safety prepared to ask the RCMP to take vigorous action and put an end to cigarette smuggling?