Minister comments on Health Care Costs Recovery Act not being passed in House

Justice Minister and Attorney General Kelvin Parsons says he�s extremely disappointed the province�s proposed Health Care Costs Recovery Act was not passed during the fall sitting of the House of Assembly.

"Every year over 45,000 Canadians die as a result of tobacco related illness," said Parsons. "In Newfoundland and Labrador alone, two people die every day as a result of illness caused by smoking."

Initial estimates indicate that tens of millions of dollars are spent in this province each year to treat people who have become ill due to smoking cigarettes. Government believes these costs should be borne by the tobacco industry. The passing of the Health Care Costs Recovery Act would have facilitated government�s court action against the tobacco companies.

"This is a very important initiative by government in terms of attempting to recover funds from the tobacco industry for health care," stated Minister Parsons. "It�s unfortunate that the Opposition chose to not let this legislation pass through the House in a timely manner, despite being offered time to consider it over the weekend."

The minister pointed out that both the premier and the government house leader were willing to extend the sitting of the House to further debate and pass the legislation. The Opposition refused, thus delaying the passage of legislation which would benefit all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-6564.

2000 12 15              3:50 p.m.