Mr. Speaker, this is absolutely appalling. This is a shameful betrayal of Canadian citizens and of the rights of Canadians to be protected against this deceitful and false advertising. The government is saying that it needs more time to study. How much more time will pass? How many more lives will be lost while the tobacco industry pushes this dishonest advertising on Canadians? Canadians look to the government to stand up and be counted on this issue.
Just last month the World Health Organization completed negotiations toward a treaty text for a framework convention. The text calls for a ban on misleading terms, which may very well include light and mild. Just this month, as I said before, a U.S. court found Philip Morris in violation of consumer protection laws and said that it showed a reckless disregard for consumers rights.
My question once again is for the parliamentary secretary. Why is the government waiting to take action on this? Is it because of the threats under the NAFTA, chapter 11? Why will it not act now to protect the health of Canadians?