Restrict tobacco, cosmetic pesticides, says wellness report

Tighter restrictions on cosmetic pesticides and smoking in public places are among 49 recommendations put forward in a government report on improving the well-being of New Brunswickers.

"We are currently facing a wellness crisis," said Liberal MLA Chris Collins, chair of the government wellness committee that developed the report released Friday.

"Our nation's children, our future, may be the first generation in decades to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Rates of tobacco use, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and obesity have reached alarming levels," Collins said.

Among the recommendations in the 43-report are restrictions on tobacco products that could be attractive to young people, such as cigarillos and smoking in public places.

"There are a lot of different places where we still smell some [smoke]," Collins said. "We're still affected by smoke when we go outside."

Obesity, especially in young people, is also an area of concern in the report.

Mandatory physical education at all grade levels and increased instruction time in the gym are among the recommendations.

The 10-member MLA committee that oversaw the consultations in the report's writing also recommends the province restrict cosmetic pesticide use.

"We're making recommendations on restrictions, but that does not mean a ban wouldn't be appropriate either," said Chris Collins, chair of the wellness committee.

The wellness committee consulted communities throughout New Brunswick about what wellness meant to them and how to improve it. The committee heard 62 presentations and received 47 written briefs during the consultations.

The government will be working to create a wellness strategy by March, Collins said.