Here's what a few of the letters of support for
Bill S-13, the Tobacco Industry Responsibility Act said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I am the mother of three wonderful, healthy young people. I am a non -smoking parent of non-smoking children with all four grandparents who smoke. All four grandparents have smoking related health problems (respiratory, cardiac and cancer.) I am strongly in favour of all efforts aimed at a renewed national investment in tobacco use prevention.
D.L.D, BSc.Pharm
Lamont, Alberta
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tobacco Addiction in our Canadian youth is growing at an unbelieveable rate, as witnessed by our nurses every day is all sectors of health care. The onus is on all Parliamentarians, regardless of their political stripe, to support Bill S-13 to show their commitment to a strong healthy future for our Canadian youth."
M.M.
Burnaby, British Columbia
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"As a busy practicing pediatrician serving many children advancing to adolescent age, I am convinced of the necessity to discourage our youth from smoking. Any efforts made by our government in promoting this worthwhile project will be greatly appreciated and I'm sure you would agree will prevent much serious illness in the future"
C. A., M.D.
Toronto, Ontario
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Last summer while doing chores...I saw three very young girls (12-13 years of age) light up and share a cigarette on the street in front of my property. I thought of speaking to them at the time but decided against it. That decision has haunted me over since.
I believe I should do whatever I can to prevent young people from smoking and that includes urging our elected representatives who have the power to make changes to please do their utmost to prevent young people from taking up this terrible addiction...I urge you to support Bill S-13 in whatever way you can...The stakes are high, sir!"
L.D.
Renforth, New Brunswick
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"This bill seems to me to be a creative and practical method to fight [tobacco addiction] -- a powerful and detrimental force in our society. I would thus urge you to support this initiative and help save Canada's youth from the Number 1 cause of preventable death."
E.F., M.D.
Westmount, Quebec
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want you to support Bill S-13, the Tobacco Industry Responsibility Act when it comes to the House of Commons. That is the best way to save our youth from the scourge of tobacco addiction"
G.S.
Regina, Saskatchewan
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"I was really disappointed to learn about the limited funding that is available to combat youth smoking. When we met with Senator Kenny in PEI, we were impressed with the potential that money generated from such a levy could help youth stay away from smoking. I have teenage children who are being affected by peer pressure to smoke as well as from second hand smoke in places where they go for recreation. More and more of their friends age 13 -18 are smoking and my children say these are friends who vowed they would never smoke. We need resources to help this cause."
D.M.
Charlottetown, PEI
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"I am delighted to support Senator Kenny's bill (Bill S-13) to fight youth addiction to tobacco."
N.G.S.
Kelowna, British Columbia
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Financial support for community based programs and activities to help adolescents quit is urgently needed. Further, a central clearing house of ideas that work is sorely needed.
The incidence of asthma and severity appear to be increasing in our region. In spite of this, I still see young teenagers with asthma who start smoking.
L.L.S., M.D.
Lethbridge, Alberta