December 5, 2000
(Health and Community Services)

Society has long been aware of the health risks associated with smoking. There is irrefutable evidence to link smoking with heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, cancer and a host of other health-related problems.

According to the National Clearinghouse on Tobacco and Health, smoking kills nearly 1,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador every year, claiming more lives than all other cases of preventable death combined. About 80 of those deaths can be attributed to second-hand smoke.

It is clearly evident that individuals often start smoking in their youth - and then have tremendous difficulty breaking free from this destructive habit.

In recent years there has also been a greater understanding of the negative effects of second-hand smoke on the health of our population - particularly our children, who often have no choice but to be exposed to this danger.

In 1994, government passed the Tobacco Control Act and the Smoke-free Environment Act. These pieces of legislation were designed to reduce or eliminate smoking in a variety of public facilities and limit young people's access to tobacco products.

These legislative initiatives, coupled with ongoing campaigns to educate the population about the dangers of smoking, have had a positive effect. However, many young people continue to gain access to tobacco products and many restaurant patrons and others are still being exposed to second-hand smoke against their will.

In recognition of our responsibility to protect our citizens from the risks associated with second-hand smoke, and to discourage our young people from acquiring this dangerous habit, I am introducing legislation today that would amend both the Tobacco Control Act and the Smoke-free Environment Act.

With respect to the Tobacco Control Act, government is proposing:

• to provide for an eventual ban on the sale of tobacco products and tobacco accessories from pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador;

• to require photo identification of any person actually or apparently 19 years of age who wishes to purchase tobacco or tobacco products;

• to include convictions under the federal Tobacco Act as prior convictions when considering the judicial consequences of violations to the provincial Tobacco Control Act; and

• to amend passages of the Tobacco Control Act to provide greater clarity as to the intent of the provisions.

With respect to the Smoke-free Environment Act, we are proposing:

• to provide for a complete ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places frequented by children, effective January 1, 2002; and

• to increase the enforcement option available to inspectors by providing them with the ability to issue provincial offence tickets to violators of the Act.

These proposed amendments are supported by the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco, whose more than 50 members include the Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Health Boards Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmaceutical Association, the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Faculties of Medicine and Nursing at Memorial University and more.

After consultations with the community at large, we also believe these amendments are supported by the vast majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I believe our children have a right to enjoy a smoke-free environment during the critical years of their development.

In fact, I believe all our citizens deserve to be protected as much as possible from the negative effects of smoking.

I am therefore proud to bring forward these legislative amendments, which are the latest in a series of initiatives designed to reduce the negative effects of smoking and provide for a healthier environment for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

2000 12 05 1:35 p.m.