SOUTH Australia is spearheading a push to recoup billions of dollars spent on caring for sick smokers.
Health Minister John Hill put the proposal to a Ministerial Council meeting in Canberra on Friday and said he had received a positive response.
Mr Hill said Australia was well placed to force tobacco companies to compensate governments for the health costs associated with smoking over many decades.
A similar class action in the US led to the major firms agreeing to the 1997 US Master Settlement Agreement, in which tobacco companies agreed to pay up to $200 billion compensation to states over 30 years.
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From the Adelaide Advertiser
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/south-australia-mounts-lawsuit-against-tobacco-companies/story-e6frea6u-1226341665930
