January 28, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Provincial Tobacco Reduction Coalition established

Premier Brian Tobin and Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today the establishment of the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Coalition which includes the following partners:

Canadian Cancer Society Newfoundland and Labrador Division
Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association
Heart & Stroke Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmaceutical Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
Department of Education and
Department of Health and Community Services

"This is an important first step in our recently announced plan to embark upon a major campaign against youth smoking. It is supportive of the Strategic Social Plan particularly in the involvement of the community and in its focus on prevention and early intervention," said Premier Tobin.

"We look to the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Coalition and supportive communities to assist in providing direction and support for a new Comprehensive Tobacco Reduction Strategy. Government will commit $900,000 over the next three years to implement this strategy," said Minister Aylward.

The strategy will address "youth smoking" and acknowledge that strong measures need to be taken in both the legislative and community areas.

COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO REDUCTION STRATEGY

The coalition with the support of government will implement a long term comprehensive Tobacco Reduction Strategy. It will include:

1) Legislation - focusing on sales to youth and recovery of damages from the tobacco industry;

2) Enforcement - strengthen the enforcement of both our present tobacco laws dealing with Sales to Youth and a Smokefree Environment;

3) Community Education - the areas of special focus will be our youth through the school system and the general public through community action and the media;

4) Research - the collection and distribution of relevant, available research is essential to both the identification of needs and the monitoring of the impact of programs.

LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AND LAW SUITS AGAINST TOBACCO COMPANIES

"The government intends to send a clear message to all concerned that we are not prepared to stand idly by and see our young people drawn into a habit that can devastate their health and their lives," said Premier Tobin.

Legislative measures will include providing authority for licensing of tobacco retailers and enhanced enforcement through such measures as the use of compliance checks.

"We will also introduce legislation to facilitate lawsuits for the recovery of damages caused by the tobacco industry. Both individuals and government incur damage from the ravages of smoking. The legislation will facilitate the recovery of compensation by both," said Premier Tobin.

Among other things, the legislation will list presumptions the court can make regarding exposure to tobacco, permit statistical and sociological studies as evidence of causation, and facilitate the apportionment of liability between manufacturers. We will work with other provinces, notably British Columbia, to put the needed legislation in place and vigorously and effectively to pursue this case.

IMPACT OF TOBACCO USE

Most adults begin smoking as youth before they are old enough to make an informed decision and balance health information against the dangers of the smoking habit. Today's youth are no exception, according to a 1998 Student Drug Use Survey, which indicates there has been no decline in youth smoking which is currently at 30 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador. At the same time, adult rates have dropped from 35 per cent in 1990 to 32 per cent in 1996.

"Tobacco use has a devastating impact on the health of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is one of the biggest killers and is the number one cause of preventable illness such as cancer and heart and lung diseases. It robs society of productive members and families of their loved ones," said Minister Aylward.

Minister Aylward said she is particularly concerned about the high rate of youth smoking. She noted that the fight against youth smoking will require the support of the entire community particularly those health organizations involved in the tobacco issue.

The premier said: "Strong, supportive homes, schools, the business community and the general public are essential to complement the regulatory efforts. Building a network of partners who share this vision is an important first step. It will also be necessary to engage youth themselves in providing solutions to the smoking issue."

Media contact: Beverly Warford, Communications Specialist, (709) 729-6296.

1999 01 28 2:10 p.m.