I have just one quick comment.
The member mentioned the federal tobacco control strategy. That strategy was extended for one year last March and it's up for renewal again this coming March. We're hoping for a five-year extension, and that's what the government is looking into. It's really key. Without investments in tobacco control you just can't get those rates down and keep them going down.
I would point to two particular initiatives under the umbrella of the federal tobacco control strategy we really need to continue investing in. One is mass media support and funding. It's been a few years since there's been any investment in mass media, a public awareness campaign, so re-funding that part of the strategy is really critical. It was funded to the tune of approximately $25 million several years ago. We need investment back there again.
The other piece is with respect to tobacco taxation. It's one of the most important measures in tobacco control to keep smoking rates down. The tobacco industry has been using the contraband situation as a lever to justify and call for cuts to tobacco taxation. That was done in the early nineties. It didn't quite work. When taxes were cut for a short period of time, rates did go up. So we've got to ensure that we keep taxes up. It's a critical measure.
Thank you.