Mr. Speaker, a while ago, the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, issued a challenge to me; the challenge to be smoke free. I am pleased to report that, today, I accept his challenge. At noon here in the Great Hall, I joined my fellow colleague, Norman Yakeleya, the
Member for Sahtu, and together we made a public commitment to quit smoking.
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Now, the challenge to be smoke-free is not primarily about getting people to quit smoking. It is about making sure that young people never start in the first place. If I am successful at quitting for life, I know that I will benefit and so I hope I am successful. But it is not only for myself that I am doing this. As a former smoker, I am well aware that smoking affects everyone who comes in contact with it. One of the biggest reasons that young people take up smoking to begin with is that they see other people around them smoking; not only their peers but older people too, parents and role models. Children copy what they see their parents doing, but I am hoping this influence can work two ways. By setting a good example when I am quitting myself, I hope to have a positive influence on other people around me, particularly on youth. Already, I know my decision to quit has encouraged others to try and achieve the same thing.
Smoking is a serious problem in the North. Our rates of tobacco use are twice what they are in other parts of the country. By the time NWT youth reach 15 years of age, 42 percent of them smoke. It is these young people who really need to hear the message.
To that end, part of the commitment I made today is to encourage youth in my riding to be smoke-free. I have accepted a challenge from Mr. Yakeleya to see which of our constituencies can get the most youth to commit to being smoke-free. I will be contacting schools in our respective ridings to encourage all students to join the challenge. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement.