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Regional Councillor Report
Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4
Date: March 10, 2005
Regional Council - March 2, 2005
Youth Smoking
Regional Council defeated a motion that the Region request that the
Province of Ontario make it illegal under the Provincial Offences Act for
youth under the age of 19 to smoke tobacco products.
Durham Region's Health Department has determined that 21% of Durham's
youth aged 12 - 19 are smokers. There has been no evidence from controlled scientific studies to indicate that youth possession legislation
is effective in reducing smoking rates among youth. The World Health
Organization, the U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. Centre for Disease
Control and the Canadian Cancer Society have not supported youth possession
of tobacco legislation. In fact concerns have been raised that the
tobacco control industry is a strong supporter of youth possession
legislation. Speculation is that the tobacco industry supports this
legislation in that it is ineffective, counterproductive and improves the
industry's image. It is also thought that by legislating that only adults can
legally smoke it promotes the image of smoking as an adult pastime
which may as a consequence entice youth to smoke.
Measures that have been found to be effective in curbing youth smoking
are;
* increased tobacco taxation (youth are price sensitive)
* smoke free public places
* smoke free workplaces
* minimum levels of 85% compliance from retailers in not selling tobacco to youth
2005 Federal Budget
A report received by Finance and Administration Committee estimated
that Durham's share of the 2005/06 federal tax revenues totalling 600
million (1.5 cents per litre) could amount to 11 million in 2005/06
increasing to 37 million in 2009/10. The actual funding to the Region will be
determined in bilateral negotiations with the Province and a resulting
agreement with the federal government to ensure that the gas tax funds
are used strategically in support of shared national priorities. In
the Throne Speech it was stated that these funds would be used to contain
urban sprawl, invest in new infrastructure such as transit, roads,
clean water and sewers. However, in the 2005 Budget statements referring
to roads are omitted but handling of solid waste is included. Regional
staff will continue to monitor these initiatives and subsequently report on developments.
Colleen Jordan
Regional Councillor
Wards 3 & 4
Res: (905) 427-5084
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