Mr. Speaker, the question is do we want to look good or do we want to do good?
Bill C-24 is a welcome addition. However, do we beat around the bush on this issue or do we cut to the chase and get to what really counts? When we are weighing legislative initiatives, there is no proof plain packaging works. Do we deal with legislative initiatives which will have little or no effect or should we be dealing with something which will have a profound effect?
The number one, most important factor in tobacco consumption, which is what we are addressing, is cost. The cost factor is most important for youth, less important for adults, but nonetheless important in both areas.
The elasticity of price and demand is so important that it overshadows virtually every other initiative the government can take.
To answer the hon. member, we certainly support Bill C-24 but for heaven's sake, deal with the big issues. Bring back the tobacco taxes to what they were before and raise the cost of cigarettes to where it was two years ago and then we will truly have a profound effect on consumption in Canada, which is what all members what to see.