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Newfoundland’s proposed legislation to recoup health-care costs from tobacco companies for smoking-related illnesses will create a “kangaroo-like court” if it is passed, an Ontario lawyer fears.
“I think this bill sets some very dangerous precedents in the way it changes the common law,” said Karen Selick, who has also spoken out against similar legislation in British Columbia.
And while she’s not a smoker or a lover of tobacco companies, she admits Imperial Tobacco is paying for her visit to Newfoundland to address the special House of Assembly committee reviewing the bill.
“I’m speaking as a private citizen who’s concerned about this issue, although I was contacted by Imperial because they know of my views. They’re paying my way there, but I’m not representing them,” Selick said.
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Tobacco companies are urging the Newfoundland government to alter its proposed legislation to sue them for health costs.
"Take tobacco out. Make this a bill that covers anyone who impacts the health care system"
Newfoundland will become the second province to sue Big Tobacco if it goes ahead with the bill. British Columbia recently re-launched its attack to recoup healthcare costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. . .
Tobacco companies say it's wrong to focus on one industry.
"That's a very dangerous precedent to set at one particular group that happens to be unpopular," said David Landry of the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturing Council.
The Newfoundland government has started round one in its bid to sue tobacco companies for the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses.
Public hearings began Monday in the legislature and should wrap up by the following week.
The bill has already passed first reading in the House of Assembly. . .
John Lush never smoked a day in his life but he developed lung cancer and has suffered from small blood clots in his brain.
Lush worked alongside chain smokers for 26 years.
He retired six months short of a full pension and wants tobacco companies to pay.
Like many other industries and business, Marine Atlantic is jumping on the "ban wagon" and prohibiting smoking onboard their fleet.
Last year puffing on a butt was restricted from the cafeteria and limited to the lounge area only. This year it's only permitted on deck, and for those who can afford a cabin.
Health concerns for other passengers have transpired into non-safety concerns for smoking customers. Imagine a passenger who has had too much to drink walking outside for a cigarette. There is a possibility, that, despite weather conditions at the time, someone could fall overboard and no-one would be the wiser.
Complaints from non-smoking customers who use the lounge service, or just walk by from time-to-time, has brought about the policy change. However, those not wanting to inhale the second-hand smoke can avail of other space.
While Marine Atlantic is striving to make their fleet more enjoyable, safe and health conscious, they may have overlooked one issue - safety is the right of all passengers.
Brian Jones rails against the decision of the government of Newfoundland to sue the tobacco industry (”Lawsuit, schmawsuit,” The Telegram, Dec. 10), saying: “Individually, people freely decide whether or not to smoke, and bear the consequences.”
What he doesn’t say is that Canadians make that decision, on average, at the age of 12. And that almost every one of these children say they won’t be smoking in five years. Most end up being wrong. Half of those long-term smokers will be killed prematurely, a death arising from a decision they made at a tender age.
If children don’t properly evaluate the addictiveness of tobacco, how can we say that they freely decide to smoke?
A bill that would have allowed the Newfoundland government to sue tobacco companies for health costs incurred by smokers did not pass at the end of the fall session of the legislature. Plans to sue the tobacco companies were a big part of the Liberal campaign during the last provincial election, however the Tories felt the bill was being rushed and they were not willing to put it on the fast track. The legislation is expected to come before the house again in the spring. [This graph only]
A bill that would have allowed the Newfoundland government to sue tobacco companies has died on the books with the wrapping up of the fall session of the legislature.
The legislature didn't pass a bill that would let the government sue tobacco companies for health costs caused by smoking.
Plans to sue the tobacco companies were a big part of the Liberal red book during the last provincial election campaign.
The Tories felt the bill was being rushed and they weren't willing to put it on the fast track.
Clause 1 of this Bill would amend the Tobacco Control Act to clarify that an accessory used in the consumption of tobacco includes cigarette papers... Clause 3 would also provide that an inspector shall remove a licence that has been suspended from the premises with respect to which it was issued. Clause 4 of the Bill would provide that where proof of age is required of a person attempting to purchase tobacco, only a photo identification card containing the person's age would constitute valid proof. Clause 5 of the Bill would prohibit the sale of tobacco by pharmacies.
Clause 1 of the Bill would amend section 5 of the Smoke-free Environment Act to prohibit smoking in food establishments and in public places that are frequented by children.
Newfoundland would be the first province to impose a provincewide ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places frequented by children under legislative changes proposed to come into effect Jan. 1, 2002.
Health Minister Roger Grimes tabled amendments in the House of Assembly Tuesday to the existing Tobacco Control Act and the Smoke-Free Environment Act, which would further limit young people’s access to tobacco products, broaden the restrictions on smoking in public places, and better enforce anti-tobacco laws.
But Grimes steered clear of mentioning bars, lounges and gaming rooms, such as bingo halls, in his smoke-free bill.
The Newfoundland government plans to introduce a new law that would make it the first province to ban smoking in restaurants, malls and other public places where children gather.
The proposed ban would go into effect Jan. 1, 2002, provincial Health Minister Roger Grimes said yesterday when he introduced several measures aimed at reducing smoking.
"We have a responsibility to protect our citizens from the health risks associated with second-hand smoke and to discourage our young people from acquiring this dangerous habit," Grimes said.