The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba will support the government of British Columbia in its court fight to recover health care costs from tobacco companies, Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald announced yesterday. "When used as intended by the manufacturer, tobacco use can result in devastating health consequences for smokers and non-smokers including death," Oswald said. "We believe the taxpayer-funded public health care system should be allowed to recoup the costs of treating disease caused by tobacco use induced by the marketing practices of companies which manufacture tobacco." Oswald said Manitoba Health has filed notice with the Supreme Court of Canada that it will intervene in a case where tobacco companies have challenged British Columbia's Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act. The Supreme Court granted leave to appeal a decision by the B.C. Court of Appeal which upheld British Columbia's legislation. It would allow the province of B.C. to sue tobacco companies to recover the costs of treating disease caused by tobacco use induced by their marketing practices. Oswald said Manitoba's intervention at the Supreme Court complements this province's comprehensive tobacco control strategy to reduce smoking and the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke. "Manitoba has taken a leadership role by being the first province in Canada to introduce a ban on smoking in enclosed public places and indoor workplaces where the province has clear jurisdiction," the minister said. "Our smoking ban and programs such as Review and Rate, which is designed to reduce youth smoking rates, are part of a comprehensive strategy to discourage Manitobans from taking up a habit that can dramatically shorten their lives."
