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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 2875 ..

MR MOORE: I will get you specific figures on that as well. The last figures that I looked at of concern nationally were those presented to the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. They indicated a significant concern, particularly with young women taking up smoking. Well over 60 per cent of people at ages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 had tried smoking. There is some concern about that. We have to keep it in perspective and make sure that we do not confuse smokers with young people who have had two or three smokes because they thought they would see what it was like. As you know, it probably made them feel sick. Even I, who have never considered myself a smoker, probably as a young person smoked two or three packets, probably even two or three packets - - -

Mr Smyth: Did you draw back?

MR MOORE: There is an interjection asking whether I drew back.

MR SPEAKER: I wonder whether you are misleading the Assembly on this.

MR MOORE: I have to be very careful. All I can say is that I did my best to look to my mates as though I was smoking properly, and it cost me a great deal in terms of not being able to breathe for some time. Mr Speaker, I think Mr Osborne asked some very important questions. Of course, tobacco is the killer drug. It is the nastiest drug used in Australia. It does more damage than any other drug, followed by alcohol. We must keep that in perspective when we are looking at our strategies to deal with drugs and to minimise the harm associated with drugs. I will get back to you on the specifics of the information.

Ms Carnell: Mr Speaker, I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MS CARNELL: I have some further information for Mr Kaine in answer to the question he asked me yesterday with regard to the specific costs of the various leases involved for members of the Assembly.

Mr Kaine: The Canberra Times was right, was it, Chief Minister?

MS CARNELL: I did not read the Canberra Times, so I do not know whether they are the same. I honestly have no idea. I have the information for Mr Kaine. I seek leave to have it incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

Document incorporated at Appendix 2.

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