A legislator has asked the Government to consider suing tobacco companies for compensation after the world's biggest cigarette maker conceded smoking is a health risk. US-based Philip Morris, on its Internet site, acknowledged 'an overwhelming medical consensus that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other serious diseases'. It warned 'there is no safe cigarette' and smokers were more likely than non-smokers to have lung cancer. Dr Leong Che-hung, who represents the medical sector, said the Government should look into whether tobacco firms should be asked for compensation. 'Bear in mind we have spent a lot of money treating people because of smoking-related diseases,' said Dr Leong. At yesterday's Legislative Council health and welfare panel, Secretary for Health and Welfare Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said that the Government would need to examine the matter before making a decision.
