Mr. Speaker, I commend the Minister of Health on her presentation. I appreciate what the government is trying to do in this area. It has taken a balanced approach and has tried to address all the issues involved in this very complex problem.
My constituents have raised another health problem young people experience which relates directly to this issue. Some experts I have heard addressing this problem indicate that alcohol could also be one of the great problems we will be faced with. After all these measures are taken on tobacco, society's criminal elements will be looking for new ways to profit. There
is a large market in alcohol and they would target young people. Smuggling could suddenly become very profitable.
In light of the fact that this is a big problem among young people and is a potential smuggling problem, would the minister be willing to commit to take similar initiatives in the area of alcohol abuse and the smuggling which will take place as tobacco becomes controlled? Would she be willing to comment on or address this problem?
Many constituents are wondering about the domino effect. Will the reduction of taxes on tobacco mean a reduction of taxes on alcohol and many other products that are susceptible to being smuggled?