Discouraging smoking

[R1Geezer]

Why are they tinkering at the edges with this plain packaging h0rsh1t? Make them £100 a pack! and add £10 each budget, sorted! Most kids can't afford that we extract a load more tax from the addicts. Ok it'll increase bootlegging but so what most smokers still have to buy full price ones at some point! The wisdom of the Geezer is strong today!

[mrmoonshine]

Does this plan of yours also include adding £100 to every pint too? Isnt alcohol just as bad in terms of deaths as well as society breakdown, crime and violence? Are you a non smoking drinker by any chance?

[anotheoldgit]

Stop all these petty laws against smokers, are the Government really bothered about the deaths and cost from smoking?

If they are, the Government could also make a start by banning unnecessary wars, because what about all the deaths and the cost from wars.

Ban smoking completely.

[R1Geezer]

No we are not talking about beer, the governement are targetting smoking, that's the salient point. Why does every question about smoking get converted to booze/fast food/ some other irrelevant sh1te?

Well earned BGB awarded for MrMoonshine.

[Booldawg]

Smoking is pointless whereas drinking beer is a way of life.

[mrmoonshine]

Thanks r1, ill put that coveted award on a special place on my mantlepiece.
Booldawg, I agree with the beer bit.

[Gromit]

I agree with you R1G,

It is a habit mostly taught to children by their parents. They start in their teens and then are hooked.

[cazzz1975]

I would put increased charges on both alcohol and cigarettes as they are both unnecessary

[Nosha123]

I dont know that the Govmt REALY want people to stop smoking do they??? They absolutely RAKE in taxes from smokers... if everyone gave up smoking tomorrow.. they would be in deep doo doo...

[cazzz1975]

smoking and alcohol cost more to the nhs than anything else

[Panic Button]

Anotheroldgit says ban smoking completely - is that like drugs being illegal?
That doesn't seem to work, does it?

[anotheoldgit]

/// smoking and alcohol cost more to the nhs than anything else ///

Know this for certain do we. or is it just a urban myth.

I wonder how much massive immigration into the UK has costs the NHS?

[cazzz1975]

regardless of what you say or think the fact is, drinking excessive alcohol and smoking cigarettes is more harmful and costly to the NHS than not binge drinking and smoking

Im sure there are a lot of drains on the NHS but alcoholism and smoking related illnesses can be prevented and are unnecessary

[craft1948]

the majority of people who whinge about smokers are reformed smokers being holier than thou.
I've never claimed benefits in my life, always been employed and paid taxes, so buy my cigarettes with my own money.
I don't come blowing smoke in your houses so p!ss off and leave me alone to pollute my own space......

[cazzz1975]

its not holier than thou craft, it seeing the habit for what it really is..

[hc4361]

As long as it just your own space you are polluting, Craft.
There is nothing worse than a baby or small child stinking of stale cigarette smoke, often because a parent has been smoking in the car with the baby in the back seat.

[flip_flop]

I know this'll annoy R1 because his thread is about smokers, but can I throw fat disgusting smelly bloaters in to the argument as well?

I understand the cost of obesity is a massive drain on the NHS as well - as being fat is self-inflicted (and before somebody nasally whines that some people are fat due to a medical condition, the fact is that most people are fat because they eat too much and don't exercise enough), how about a swingeing tax increase on KFC, McSh!te et al?

It won't affect those of us who eat sensibly and consider fast food an occassional treat, but it will affect the salad dodgers who consider fast food a staple.

[Nosha123]

lets tax the fast food companies... so burgers become three times as expensive.. and anything you buy in Iceland too!
Beer and fags can go up.. but reduce wine - as thats proven that a wee tipple a day can have health benefits!

[VHG]

>Make them £100 a pack! and add £10 each budget, sorted!

How naive some people are. If only life were that simple.

All that would do is dramatically increase the amount of cigarettes smuggled in from abroad.

[Everhelpful]

What a self-serving ar$ehole you are Geezer. Shall we make Petrol and Diesel £100 a gallon as well? Contaminates the air we breathe just as bad. If people want to smoke,let them,it is their health they are damaging.