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Make the fight against contraband tobacco a local priority
The majority of MPs are not fully aware of this problem, even though if it is happening in their own backyards. It is often mistakenly believed that the Ministry of Public Safety, or some other department, takes care of this problem. Contraband is definitely a local problem with major repercussions in each riding, depending on the socio-economic makeup and proximity to Native reserves.
By becoming a local leader spearheading the fight against contraband, MPs can do a lot to reduce it to 10% of the market instead of current rates of 20 to 50%, which is even more reason why it should be made a priority issue.
However, few issues have such a wide-reaching local impact as contraband tobacco, which not only affects the health of young people, as well as the safety of the community, but also the livelihood of local small business owners as well as government revenue meant to provide funding for healthcare and education. This issue has an impact on everyone at all levels.
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