Ontario wants to sue tobacco companies over healthcare costs..

March 6, 2009 - Ontario is looking to become the latest jurisdiction to go after tobacco companies for misrepresenting the health risks of smoking and costing the province billions of dollars. Attorney General Chris Bentley has introduced new legislation that, if passed, could allow the provincial government to seek billions of dollars in damages from the three big Canadian cigarette manufacturers: Imperial Tobacco; Rothmans, Benson and Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald. If Ontario doesn't act now, it could also miss its chance to sue JTI-Macdonald, which is under bankruptcy protection.

The legislation is based on a similar bill in British Columbia that alleges tobacco companies marketed light cigarettes as safer than regular ones, and targeted their marketing toward children. (B.C.'s efforts yielded positive results.) Ontario is looking to become the latest jurisdiction to go after tobacco companies for misrepresenting the health risks of smoking and costing the province billions of dollars.

Attorney General Chris Bentley has introduced new legislation that, if passed, could allow the provincial government to seek billions of dollars in damages from the three big Canadian cigarette manufacturers: Imperial Tobacco; Rothmans, Benson and Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald.

"Ontario taxpayers should not have to pay for health-care costs if they are caused by alleged wrongs by others," Bentley said Wednesday.

"This is about holding tobacco companies accountable."

The legislation is based on a similar bill in British Columbia that alleges tobacco companies marketed light cigarettes as safer than regular ones, and targeted their marketing toward children. It is also alleged the companies conspired to hold back research about the harmful effects of tobacco and to undermine the health warnings that had been issued, Bentley said, noting those allegations have yet to be proved in court.

British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have all passed similar legislation.

Tobacco use accounts for the deaths of about 13,000 Ontario residents each year – or 36 deaths per day and almost 500,000 hospital days annually - $1.6 billion used to treat smoking-related illnesses.

The government has already banned smoking in vehicles with a child present. Smoking is also outlawed in Ontario workplaces and in public areas such as bars and restaurants.

Related news briefs: Tobacco Display Ban Deadline of May 31, 2008 Looms in Ontario and Quebec..

Reference: Ontario wants to sue tobacco companies over healthcare costs, THE CANADIAN PRESS, theStar.com, 3/4/2009; Ont. prepares to sue tobacco companies by Jordana Huber, Canwest News Service, 3/4/2009.