GREENS WELCOME PUSH FOR CLASS ACTION AGAINST BIG TOBACCO

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne throwing her support behind national moves to set up a legislative framework for states to pursue a class action against tobacco companies to recover healthcare costs.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that taxpayers have had to shoulder the burden of healthcare for tobacco related diseases, and Tasmania’s health system could no longer afford to subsidise the profits of companies that profit from suffering and addiction.

“If it’s fair for James Hardie to pay compensation for the harm caused by its asbestos products, then there is a pretty clear case for tobacco companies to be doing the same thing,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“This proposal came up at the national health ministerial council last month, and Minister O’Byrne deserves full credit for adopting a clear position if favour of this course of action.”

“Treating tobacco-related disease costs our nation billions of dollars, and it’s not fair that the taxpayer should have foot the bill at a time when healthcare resources are already stretched to breaking point.”

“Other international jurisdictions including in Canada and the United States are pursuing this as an option, and the Greens see no reason why we can’t do it in Australia.”

“There’s not a lot of sympathy from the Greens for tobacco companies, who continue to peddle a deadly product while using their wealth to buy political friends like the Liberal Party,” Mr O’Halloran said.

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SMOKING BANS LACK EDUCATION & ENFORCEMENT

Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
Tuesday, 29 May 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today expressed disappointment at the failure to prioritise enforcement and education measures to support the new restrictions on smoking in public places.

During Budget Estimates today, Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP queried the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne on what measures were being implemented to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

“The Minister has admitted that nothing was being done to enforce the smoking bans or to raise public awareness about the restrictions,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“These measures were a big step forward for public health in Tasmania, but the Greens believe that they will have only a limited impact without dedicated education and enforcement.”

Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson Tuesday, 29 May 2012