VANCOUVER - The politician who first approved Tasers for use in B.C. in 'combative situations' says the weapon is now being used as a substitute for good old fashioned police work.

Former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh told a Vancouver inquiry into the use of Tasers Monday that when he first approved the weapon for use in B.C. they were supposed to be used sparingly by police in "assaultive and combative situations, where a person is a danger to others."

Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died at Vancouver International Airport in October 2007 after Richmond RCMP used a Taser to subdue him.

"It is also being used in situations where it wasn't contemplated," said Dosanjh, citing Tasers being used by local transit police on fare evaders. "That is something I would have never imagined."

Dosanjh told the inquiry that the onus should be on the manufacturer, Taser International, to conclusively prove there is no evidence that Tasers can kill people.