煙草在線據《醫學觀察家》報道編譯　　作為對大煙草公司對卷煙平裝法律提起法律訴訟的大膽反擊，澳大利亞聯邦政府正在考慮起訴煙草業賠償與吸煙有關的醫療費用。

　　南澳大利亞省衛生部長約翰·希爾的發言人對《醫學觀察家報》說，聯邦衛生部長Tanya Plibersek已經同意希爾先生在5月初的衛生部長會上提出的請求，向首席檢察官辦公室尋求關于對大煙草公司提起集體訴訟的法律建議。

　　這名發言人說：“同時，南澳大利亞準備尋求一些初期的法律建議。這處于一個很早期的階段，但其他各部部長對這個問題很有興趣。”

　　在一宗成功的數十億美元集體訴訟背后的美國反煙活動分子于去年12月份訪問澳大利亞后，澳大利亞政府考慮起訴煙草公司。

　　澳大利亞公共衛生支持者說，美國的案子是基于可以適用于澳大利亞的普通法律準則。

　　澳大利亞公共衛生協會首席執行官邁克爾·摩爾說：“澳大利亞政府的機會非常好。”

　　“在大煙草公司尋求從政府獲得補償時……以其人之道還治其人之身，這是完全適當的做法。我認為，政府的機會很好——有先例。”

Govt may sue big tobacco for smoking-related health costs

　　THE federal government is considering suing the tobacco industry for smoking-related health costs, in what would be an audacious counterattack to big tobacco's court challenge of plain packaging laws.

　　A spokesperson for SA Health Minister John Hill told MO that Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek had agreed to Mr Hill's request to pursue legal advice from the attorney-general's office about a class action against big tobacco at a health ministers' meeting earlier this month.

　　"At the same time, South Australia's going to be pursuing some early legal advice," the spokesperson said. "This is at a very early stage but there was interest in the matter from the other ministers."

　　It comes after the US anti-tobacco campaigner behind a successful multi-billion-dollar class action visited Australia in December.

　　Last week Australian public health advocates said the US case was based on universal legal principles that could apply in Australia.

　　"The government's chances are very good," Public Health Association of Australia CEO Michael Moore said.

　　"At a time that big tobacco is seeking compensation from the government…it's entirely appropriate that the shoe be put on the other foot. I think the government's chances are very good - there are precedents."