Pubdate: Sun, 16 Apr 2017 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.timescolonist.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Pamela McColl Page: A11 MARIJUANA PROPOSAL HAS A SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE One in 10 deaths around the world is caused by smoking, according to a new study, and this dire statistic comes as Canada stands on the brink of legalizing marijuana as a smoked commercial product. That 28 per cent of those who die a second-hand-smoking death are children and that marijuana smoke is just as toxic, if not more so than that of tobacco products, has been lost in the government's unsubstantiated argument that legalization will reduce use by youth and control the black market. There is no evidence to show that either of these outcomes will be achieved, but there is substantial evidence that suggests the opposite could happen with an industry entrenched under the law. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has chosen to take Canadians down the very dark path of more rather than less smoking across society. It should cost him any chance of re-election. Pamela McColl Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Matt