The solicitor handling the majority of legal actions against the tobacco industry in the State has called on the Government to follow the lead of the US government and take legal steps against cigarette manufacturers.
Mr Peter McDonnell, commenting on the decision of the US Attorney General, Ms Janet Reno, to file a law suit in Washington DC's federal court against eight tobacco companies, said the Government could recoup some of the costs incurred by the health service in treating smoking-related illnesses if it were to do likewise.
"President Clinton's assertion that the taxpayers shouldn't pay for the cost of lung cancer, emphysema and other smoking-related illnesses and that the tobacco industry should, applies equally to this country," he said.