November 29, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

The following statement was issued today by Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today is a very important day for the people of this province. For years we have understood the devastating effects of cigarette smoke on our health. We are alarmed at the number of people who die every year because of this horrible habit. At least 1,000 people alone will die in Newfoundland and Labrador this year. Millions will die all over the world.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador takes this issue very seriously. Today we are moving forward with a $900,000 commitment we made early last winter when we announced the formation of a provincial tobacco coalition. Today we know this group as the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco or ACT. For several months, ACT has been working diligently, and this morning at a news conference in St. John's, ACT's chairperson (Ms. Paula Ewing) and I launched the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy.

The Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy has four main goals: prevention, protection, cessation and denormalization. Education and communication is seen as a key strategic direction to ensure all sectors are aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the negative consequences of tobacco use. The strategy also outlines directions concerning legislation, enforcement, and community support programs, among others.

An important part of an overall tobacco strategy for the province is the youth component. On November 16 I announced the formation of a Teen Tobacco Team who will work with me, officials from the Department of Health and Community Services, and ACT on tobacco issues of particular interest to youth. Today I am honoured to present the members of our first ever Teen Tobacco Team to the Members of the House of Assembly. They are seated in the Speaker's Gallery.

Teen Tobacco Team picture (Adobe Acrobat format)

This team will be a voice for all young people in Newfoundland and Labrador on how to tackle tobacco issues. Our goal on this front is the development of a Youth Tobacco Strategy for the province. We will look to our new team for input and consultation in developing this strategy.

Members of our Teen Tobacco Team have been chosen with the assistance of many organizations and our own health and community services boards. Today I would like to acknowledge these groups for helping select the youth who are with us today.

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Allied Youth
• Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Program
• FINALY (Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth)
• Girl Guides
• Community Youth Networks
• Labrador Inuit Health Care Commission
• Health Labrador Corporation
• Health and Community Services Eastern

The efforts of these organizations have proved invaluable. They have chosen a dynamic team of youth who have committed themselves to addressing tobacco issues.

I'm sure honourable members will join with me in congratulating ACT, the new Teen Tobacco Team and the employees of Health and Community Services on their work to make our province a healthier one.

1999 11 29 2:20 p.m.