For Immediate Release
February 17, 2005

Barrett says Bill 164 is unfair, disrespectful, a tax grab
and dictatorial

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett said that Health Minister George Smitherman launched yet another salvo in his war on tobacco this week during debate on Bill 164.

“He said, and I quote, ‘Cigarette displays in stores targeted at kids are an insidious form of advertising.’ Minister, corner store operators and employees have long done an outstanding job asking for ID and then turning away young people,” Barrett said. “Now, Liberal taxes force young people to buy cheap smokes out of the trunk of a car. Those guys don’t ask for age.”

Barrett was the first opposition member to take aim at the McGuinty government’s Smoke-Free Ontario Act Tuesday during the first day of debate – yesterday, Barrett on behalf of farmers, veterans, restaurants, pubs, bars, corner stores, casinos and bingos continued his barrage.

Tuesday, Health Minister Smitherman said that Bill 164 is, “firm, but it is fair.”

“Fair to whom?” Barrett asked. “Is it fair to my tobacco farmers sitting here today waiting for the promised compensation? Is it fair to those restaurant and pub owners who have invested in ventilation units? Is it fair to a single mom who is going to lose her waitressing job?

During debate, Smitherman also said that the Liberal government does not go out of its way to penalize smokers. Barrett called Smitherman’s statement “hypocrisy at its best. You are filling your pockets.”

Debate on Bill 164 resumes Monday in the Ontario Legislature.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629