Mr. Speaker, the member for Winnipeg North Centre raises a very important issue. We agree that there has to be a comprehensive global strategy.
That is why we have put in place a comprehensive four pronged strategy that includes the legislative and regulatory aspect, enforcement, research and public awareness, to protect our children's health.
We have adopted some of the toughest tobacco control measures in the world, particularly with regard to restricting access to tobacco products for young people. Canada is a world leader in the regulation of tobacco products, with new proposals dealing with labelling, prevention and reporting.
We are working with provincial governments to increase compliance with the law eliminating cigarette sales to Canadians under 18 years of age. We are increasing our research efforts including monitoring and surveillance activities.
Most important, we have allocated $100 million to tobacco control over the next five years. This will enable us to encourage and support Canadians, particularly young people, in their efforts not to smoke. This will include a media campaign using ideas that will work in the Canadian context to counterbalance the steady flow of images that make smoking seem natural and desirable when it is anything but.
We are looking at all the tools available to us to discourage people from starting to smoke and to encourage those who do smoke to quit.