Ontario files $50 billion tobacco suit

          $50 billion dollars, which is more than any single man on earth has under his possession, it is more than the annual GDP for over 85 countries, and also the amount the government of Ontario is suing tobacco companies for. This fee is issued for the purpose of paying back all the money that has been spent by various government run health centers, taking care of tobacco related illnesses. This value was determined by taking the amount of sales in the cigarette business in the province of Ontario and finding approximately 30% of this value. The government is trying to regain power over the market from the hands of the tobacco companies, and try and give back to the people who don't smoke by making them pay fewer taxes for the thing that kills their people. The triumph for the government is quite far away though. The cigarette companies are in the process of filing a counter statement, proving their innocence in the matter and to try and free themselves from this hefty fee. This unfortunately could take years to wind itself through the court system because of the large amount of money it is regarding, and the importance of the tobacco companies in the global market. One other province, British Columbia, and some areas of the United States have also started lawsuits against the tobacco companies. Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in the province killing about 36 people a day, and costing taxpayers over $1.6 billion annually. This would be a great breakthrough for the people of Ontario if it were to be passed.


             I feel that this action by the government is a wonderful step in the right direction for the people of Ontario, and a great example for the entire world. It was quite unfair that the many people in Canada that are nonsmokers had to pay for the obsessive nature of people they don't even know. Some people disagree with this fact, of these most are smokers, but in reality smoking is definitely unnecessary for two reasons, it kills and is highly addictive. This shows how harmful smoking can be and how crazy people can be for a cigarette. Another reason i think that this is a good decision is because the tobacco companies control the markets, and bring in a large amount of taxes to the government, and to show that the government wants to regain power is promising. They have seen enough people die and are deciding than the lives of their people are more important that the tax dollars. This sets a good example for the entire world and if they were also willing to follow and take action it would save millions of lives and millions of dollars. Imagine how much of a better place our world would be without smoking, but we must remember the key is baby steps.