Should people who smoke be refused treatment on the NHS?

[ollyjolly]

I think people should be refused treatment on the NHS who smoke. Why as a non smoker should I have to pay for someone who damages themselves at the expense of my treatment. Its wrong, the tax they collect off tobacco doesn't cover the costs and most tobacco is imported now anyway!! What do you think?

[crete]

do you believe that anyone who is obese should also not be treated on the nhs ?

[LeMarchand]

What about people who speed/otherwise ignore road rules and crash?

People who drink alcohol to excess, or who cause an accident as the result of drunkenness?

Sporting injuries?

etc etc

[Loosehead]

I too am a non smoker but I think it is dangerous to start excluding people in this way. The problem is when it becomes acceptable to exclude smokers that won't be enough, other areas of self inflicted injury will start to come under scrutiny, obesity has already been mentioned, I just think it sets a dangerous precident, I mean how long before they start checking BMI or VO2 eading to ensure you are fit enough?

[Supernick]

I would imagine that the tax costs probably do cover the cost of the patient care, although I freely admit I don't have the facts on this. Anyone?
We treat people who are sick because it's the right thing to do. And if that's because they've fallen over drunk, broken an ankle playing football, or smoked 40 a day for 20 years. What's the point in the NHS if we start excluding people? There is nowhere to draw the line as LeMarchand ha said. You could reasonably exclude anyone who takes any risks that could one day land them in hospital.

[vehelpfulguy]

Refuse treatment on the NHS if you smoke you ask.

Suppose you cut you finger, should you be refused treatment ?

Suppose you are hit by a car, should you be refused tratement?

Suppose you are stabbed by a total stranger, should you be refused tratement ?

Suppose you suffer from deprsssion, should you be refused tratment ?

Suppose someone HAS smoked but has now given up, do you refuse treatment?

Suppose someone says they DONT smoke but really do, how do you prove it?

Methinks you see the world in black and white and it isn't like that.

Suggest you get a bit of experience of the world before spouting such unworkable ideas.

[crete]

and i suggest vehelp. you stand at the next election, well done.

[Loosehead]

What about sporting injuries? I mean I had my head sown up last year, result of a clash of heads playing rugby, I chose to play should I have been excluded?

[anotheoldgit]

What a Holier Than Thou, Sanctimonious little twit you must be ollyjolly (not much jolly about you).

What age do you think oldgits like me should be put down? This would save even more money so that your NHS could spend even more on your treatment.

What are you trying to do build a master race? Someone else tried to do this, and look what happened to him.

Oh and for the benefit of your limited knowledge, most of all our tobacco has always been imported mainly from Virginia USA, and the Chancellor still taxes it to the hilt.

[Whickerman]

you're absolutely right.

Smokers should be denied NHS treatment. Oh, and also the people who damage themselves ever eating junk food. OOOH! And soldiers and policemen - putting themselves in harm's way, that's just asking for it. As for doctors and nurses, seeing as how they voluntarily stand around sick people all day, it's their own bloody fault if they get sick too. And no-one forces motorists in to cars, so ban them too, particularly the ones driving imported cars. Then people who work with chemicals, animals, and dust. Fishermen will be the first to be banned, naturally.

Of course, you could actually be talking rubbish. I'm a non-smoker, but so long as it remains legal...?

[jake-the-peg]

Smokers on average do not cost the NHS much more.

Although they suffer for increased heart attacks and cancer they tend not to suffer the diseases of old age to the same degree - for obvious reasons.

[ollyjolly]

I'm talking only about smoking related diseases. If someone has an accident then they are totally entitled to have free treatment.

[jno]

I disagree but it's a fairer question than others think. Just what sort of mishap should the NHS cover? Failed suicides? Burglars who cut themselves on broken windows? People who cut their arms with razor blades? People who harm their lungs with nicotine? People who hurt themselves in contact sports when they could have been playing chess? I don't think there's really any wide agreement on this and no need for people to get on their high horse about it either way.

[ollyjolly]

The tax doesn't cover the cost only if you listen to the tobaccoi companies!! Think of all the money that we spend clearing up other people mess. If someone who has taken illegal drugs comes in then why should the law abiding citizens pay for this ? They have broken the law and should pay for. The NHS isn't to be taken lightly and abused

[crete]

so now we have smokers and drug addicts who should be refused treatment on the n h s , any other group ?

[DJerba]

People who self inflict diseases such as cancer, heart disease, strokes etc upon themselves by for example smopking should have to take out a form of private health insurance to cover the cost of their illness I've never smoked and I dont see why I should have to fork out for someone that has a serious illness because they bought it on themselves!Why should I?!

[crete]

compassion !

[DJerba]

This is a prime example of how smoking costs the authorities more money and I'm not just talking the NHS. A woman who smoked continously throughout her pregancy gave birth to a child who had severe breathing difficulties and asthma his life has been tainted and destroyed by the inconsiderate smoker that happens to be his Mother. Not only does such a case cost the NHS money (for the rest of his life) but she also claims disability benefits for him and yet it was her smoking that caused it! Anyone still think smokers should be treated on the NHS???...didn't think so, we pay for them

[ollyjolly]

If someone is injured committing a crime he should be fined the cost of his treatment why should I have to pay for it!! He is breaking the laws of this country. Someone who self harms themselves is a different story. that would have to be done on a case by case bases.

[DJerba]

Plus how many cigs are bought abroad? yep I guess smokers pay tax on those do they? Didn't think so whihc completely fails the argument that the tax covers the cost clears tax free fags cover not cost at all!

[anotheoldgit]

What's your take on Aids ollyjolly, isn't this also self inflicted?

Soon be able to close the NHS down, there will only be you left to treat.