Thanks, Mr. Chair. MLAs may remember that, during the review of Bill 6 many months ago on legalization of cannabis, I supported an age limit of 21. I believe that the evidence is in the committee's report around the health benefits, long-term health benefits, in terms of increasing consumption age for tobacco to 21, based on a number of studies in the U.S. I want to thank the Canadian Cancer Society for bringing that information forward. This motion is about recommending that the department explore the merits of raising the minimum age. It's not saying that it's going to happen. It's certainly my preference that it would actually be moved up to 21, but I am fine having the department go off and do some further work to look at the merits of raising the age limit to 19 or to 21 for all of these addictive substances. I am fine with this and support it, and I want to thank the Canadian Cancer Society for its work in improving the bill. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Debates of Aug. 12th, 2019
This is page numbers 5877 - 5944 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was report.
Topics
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While I appreciate that there are some people who might have concerns with raising the age and including liquor, you know, I can say that we have come a long way as a society as it relates to limiting younger or youth access to these products and, in particular, tobacco. I am not as familiar, clearly, with vaping products, but I remember, even as a very young person, that when I started experimenting with cigarettes, you could walk into the front door of any hotel and there would be a cigarette vending machine, and, so long as you had the money to put into it, you could get a pack of cigarettes out of it. You know, that day and age has past us. We have made significant improvements as a society to keep access to tobacco out of the hands of our younger generation. I do not need to go over any statistical information. It is proven that, the longer we can keep tobacco products out of the hands of our youth, there is a better chance that they are not even going to begin smoking in the first place.
Since losing my mom in 2003 at the same time that I quit smoking, I have spent the last nearly 16 years working diligently with various cancer charities in trying to raise awareness and help those who are battling cancer due to smoking, various forms of lung cancer. Again, I can see that the efforts that are made by governments such as ours are the ones that are starting to make a difference in improving people's lives and keeping them off of tobacco and the negative health effects that it has to begin with, so I see no problem with this motion, and I will be in support. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Daniel McNeely Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree with the statements and comments made by the Member from Kam Lake, in short. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Thompson.
Committee Motion 159-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Smoking Cessation Aids, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Department of Health and Social Services ensure the territory's drug plan reflects the importance of smoking cessation aids, including that the plan provides smokers with access to these tools on a timely, as-needed basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 159-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Smoking Cessation Aids, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. The motion is in order. It is being distributed as we speak. [Microphone turned off]
Committee Motion 160-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act - Public Education and Awareness, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Shane Thompson Nahendeh
[Microphone turned off] and in communities where usage is the highest and to ensure that they have the information they need to make informed decisions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 160-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act - Public Education and Awareness, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 160-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act - Public Education and Awareness, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 160-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act - Public Education and Awareness, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Thompson.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Mr. Chair, I move, to the extent it is possible before the dissolution of the 18th Assembly and for the public record, that the government provide a response to these recommendations, even of a preliminary nature, that the committee may publicly disclose. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 5931
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair R.J. Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
I see nothing further from committee. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Committee Report 23-18(3)?
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, committee. This concludes consideration of Committee Report 23-18(3). Committee, we have agreed to next consider Bill 40. Committee, you have big grey binders next to your desk where you will find this legislation printed out. If everyone wants to get their big grey binders and turn to number 40. Or it might be sitting on your desk. I am not sure. As long as everyone has the reprinted version of Bill 40, I will ask the Minister responsible for the bill to introduce it. Minister Abernethy.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Glen Abernethy Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to introduce Bill 40: The Smoking and Control Reduction Act. The development of this bill has been the result of significant time and effort by the Department of Health and Social Services and wouldn't have been made possible without the input and contribution from the Standing Committee on Social Development as well as members of the public.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Standing Committee on Social Development for the time they have taken to ensure that this bill received a comprehensive review. I wish to acknowledge the time and effort members of the public took to develop submissions and share research on the effect of smoking on today's society.
Mr. Chair, smoking is a serious public health concern, and the NWT has one of the highest smoking rates in Canada. The primary purpose of this Bill 40 is to protect the public, particularly children and youth, from a variety of second-hand smoke exposure, including vaping aerosol. To protect the public's health, prohibiting the general act of smoking any substance is considered more effective than trying to distinguish between which product is actually being used.
Bill 40 would repeal the Cannabis Smoking Control Act and replace it with the comprehensive legislation that restricts smoking of any substance in specific public areas to protect the public, deter uptake, and denormalize smoking. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Minster. I will now turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development that considered the bill for any opening comments. Mr. Thompson, do you have any opening comments on Bill 40?
Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
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Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Just quickly, Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the department, their staff, and the Legislative Assembly staff as we worked forward to get this bill and the motions and amendments made. I would like to thank the Minister and his staff and Legislative Assembly staff for great work, as well as committee and the people who did submissions to us. Thank you, Mr. Chair.