Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is right. The cost of tobacco to our budget, on an annual basis in the Northwest Territories, is about $31 million annually. This is a very significant amount of money.

The department is strongly committed to addressing this public health issue. The Department of Health and Social Services and boards have all endorsed this priority under the health promotional strategy framework. In particular, the need to focus on the high rates of tobacco addiction amongst young people in the Northwest Territories.

We are actively providing support to an interdepartmental working group that is drafting the Territorial Tobacco Strategy and work plan, addressing healthy public policy legislation, public education, communication enforcement and research. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware, from my previous role in the 13th Assembly, that there is work ongoing. The Minister is informing us that in fact the work has not been concluded. They are still working on a plan. Can the Minister confirm that they are still in the process of working out a plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is right. This is an initiative that was undertaken under the previous direction of my predecessor, Mr. Floyd Roland. Mr. Speaker, the Territorial Tobacco Strategy was completed and a draft has been circulated to Government of the Northwest Territories departments. The comments on the draft are expected to be returned to the department by March 31, 2000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope that this plan, when it does come out and is launched, is going to be more than what we see from time to time with some posters and pamphlets. Hopefully, it will be focused on the young people, as the Minister said.

I would like to know what is spent in the area of prevention when it comes to smoking? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to get those numbers and thank the Minister for committing to provide them. I would like to commend the department for using the young people in the ad programming. I would like to know if the Minister will provide us with a draft or final document that we can see as to the plans that are going to be put in place if the dollars are there? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to share that, certainly with the social programs committee and any other Members who have an interest in the subject. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Paul Delorey.