Vol. 492 No. 4
26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, the State has to initiate legal action against tobacco companies or to assist those who have already taken legal cases in view of the cost to the Exchequer of providing treatment and care for those suffering from smoking related conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14132/98]
I established an advisory group of senior health personnel to advise me on this matter. My officials are monitoring the litigation in the United States and other jurisdictions and when the group reports to me I will make a determination on the matter. With regard to providing direct financial assistance for private citizens who are instituting or have instituted civil court proceedings against tobacco companies I have decided that to follow such a course of action in respect of every individual case or firm who applies would constitute an inefficient use of public funds and could give rise to certain inequities. However, I have instructed officials to monitor developments and to consider how the public interest might best be served in this matter.
