Mr. Speaker, smoking represents one of the NWT's most acute public health concerns:

• • we all know that our smoking rates, particularly in our youth and young adults, are alarmingly high;
• • we are also aware of the fact that many infants and children constantly breathe in tobacco smoke in their homes and public places;
• • and we know that many people are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke every day while they work.

The effects of smoking can already be seen in our high rates of respiratory illness and ear infections in infants and children, in our cancer rates in adults and seniors and in the high proportion of smoking-related deaths in our society. The outlook for the future does not look good if today's youth become tomorrow's life-long smokers.

As part of National Non-Smoking Week in January, the Department of Health and Social Services released a discussion paper on options for tobacco legislation in the NWT. This paper presents the various legislation and experiences of other jurisdictions. Research is showing which types of legislative controls can make a difference, and we can use this information to decide what will work best for the NWT.

As indicated in the discussion paper, there are two areas that may bring the most benefit to our communities. The first is to require smoke-free public places and work places to reduce the daily exposure to tobacco smoke currently experienced by any NWT residents. In addition to this obvious benefit, research also shows that this assists smokers to quit and sends a powerful message to the public that smoking is no longer an accepted behaviour. Even though these do not specifically target youth, research has confirmed such restrictions lower smoking rates in youth.

A second area is to focus on making it difficult for youth to access tobacco products, and to ensure that the vendor does not display promotional material for the sale of tobacco.

Research shows that addiction to tobacco starts in the teen years, and that the best way to reduce teen smoking is to prevent it from starting in the first place.

Mr. Speaker, the discussion paper represents preliminary work that will help us explore public interest in tobacco legislation. Should the feedback indicate support to pursue legislation, the department will begin more in-depth research on options for the NWT. The department has already begun to hear from the public. Close to 90 people have sent in their views on our online feedback form, and we certainly expect to hear from more, through our Web site and regular correspondence, over the next six weeks.

Of course, we know that success against tobacco will not be achieved through legislative means alone. It must be complemented by other work, like support programs for those who wish to quit, and education programs. As Members of this House are aware, Mr. Speaker, we have a territorial strategy, Action on Tobacco, which identifies these and other kinds of activities. Examples of the work underway include:

• • partners with the NWT chapter of the Canadian Public Health Association to sponsor the NWT's first ever Quit and Win Contest;
• • sponsoring a territorial conference for youth on smoking earlier this year;
• • developing a tobacco component for the NWT school health curriculum;
• • funding community-based tobacco initiatives;
• • developing a public awareness campaign targeting NWT youth; and,
• • working with federal tobacco inspectors to educate vendors on their important role on preventing the sale of tobacco to minors.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the upcoming visit of Ms. Heather Crowe to the NWT and Nunavut. As Members may know, Ms. Crowe has terminal lung cancer as a result of long-term exposure to second hand smoke in her work environment. Ms. Crowe has chosen to dedicate her time to advocate on the importance of smoke-free places and the dangers of smoking. She has been featured on national anti-smoking ads on television and we are extremely fortunate that she agreed to travel to the North to speak to various groups, including this Legislature and the NWT Workers' Compensation Board. Ms. Crowe has also graciously agreed to have her NWT/Nunavut visit filmed so that we can prepare an educational video of her trip for distribution to other groups and communities.

Ms. Crowe will be in Yellowknife during March 13th to 16th. I encouraged all Members to take in the events planned for her visit, including a luncheon in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly on March 13th followed by a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. that same day in Northern United Place.

Mr. Speaker, without a doubt, the courageous work of Ms. Crowe connects us more personally to the health issues and statistics on smoking that we read about nationally and here at home. It is through the stories of Ms. Crowe and many others that we will continue our efforts to promote the smoke-free society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause