The government of Alberta has recently passed a bill according to which it has joined other provinces in suing the big tobacco companies to recover bills worth billions of dollars spent in smoking-related health costs and for alleged misrepresentation of their products.

The 48th Bill is called the Crown’s Right Recovery Act and was passed this Wednesday.

After the bill is executed as law, Alberta can file cases against drunk drivers and those convicted of violent crimes to recover any health-care costs which are caused by these crimes.

Alberta will also have the right to sue tobacco makers or join lawsuits which already exist to recover health-care costs for tobacco-related illnesses. Ontario has launched a $50 billion lawsuit while Quebec is hoping to recover $30 billion.

Ev Glasser, a spokeswoman with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta said, "We are so happy that this bill has passed, this finally opens the door for the government to hold the tobacco industry accountable."

MLA Kent Hehr who represents Calgary Buffalo has agreed to the bill in allowing to recover health care costs from tobacco companies nut said that he does not agree with the part of the bill which goes after convicted criminals.