Vol. 481 No. 3
58 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he or individual health boards will initiate legal proceedings against companies manufacturing or distributing tobacco and tobacco products in order to recover part or all of the cost to our health services of treating people who are suffering from illness brought on by the use of such products. [15894/97]
The Deputy will be aware of developments in the United States regarding litigation against tobacco companies which my Department is continuing to monitor.
Individual states have used a number of legal bases in pursuing cases, some of which are based on specific US statutes. As the outcome of the US litigation is also being considered by other EU member states, it is my view that we should also harmonise our actions with any initiatives which may emerge at EU level.
The Deputy will be aware that the issue has been discussed at health board level, but I understand that no decisions have been taken by the boards on taking legal action at this stage.
The Deputy will appreciate that any initiative on this matter will entail a great deal of preparation and careful assessment of the strategy to be pursued. I assure the Deputy that this matter will continue to receive a high level of priority in my Departments' work programme, in close consultation with health boards and other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.
