Mr. Speaker the government's main concern is the health of our young people. Everyone knows that tobacco advertising has a tremendous influence on young people who start smoking when they are 13, 14 or 15, and it is worse in Quebec than anywhere else.
When we introduced this bill a few months ago, the Quebec Minister of Health criticized us for not going far enough. I read one of Mr. Rochon's draft bills on tobacco, and I want to quote a passage from clause 22, which goes much further than our proposal. It says that all funding of sports, cultural or social activities or facilities, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of promoting tobacco in any manner whatsoever, is prohibited. Perhaps our friends opposite should stop playing politics with this issue and take a serious look at the problem.
We have shown some flexibility. The companies asked for a three-year moratorium, and we agreed to a two-year period of adjustment. However, the problem is still there.
We did not do this because we felt like it, but because it is our duty to take steps to protect the health of young Quebecers. I know, the Bloc Quebecois is always more intent on political gain than on protecting the interests of Quebec's young people.