Mr. Speaker, during the debate on the lowering of the cigarette tax this party presented several very good reasons why it should not be done.
It would increase smoking among youth according to Statistics Canada and would also increase smoking among the general population and add to our health costs.
Today we see that total Canadian production of cigarettes reached 5.8 billion in March, the highest in eight years. Clearly the policy of this government to reduce cigarette taxes is going to add to our health care costs, add to the illness of Canadians.
I call on the Minister of Health to finally stand up for the health of Canadians, to fight on behalf of Canadians and to fight this policy which has only led to more smoking among Canadians and greater health risks.