Just another mad-cap idea?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/63motjd

Yet another mad-cap idea, does anyone really think that putting cigarettes in plain packets will encourage people to give up smoking?

How will the smokers know what brand he/she is smoking?

All these pointless measures must be costing just as much as the Government gains in taxation.

Why don't they grab the bull by it's horns and make smoking illegal?

[Bobbisox]

I'm suprised we haven't all been asked to take up the filthy habit AOG so DC can rake in some more taxes !

[ummmm]

Children are attracted to bright colours...lol

[merciasounds]

Why won't they make smoking illegal? - Because despite what they say, the revenue they get from tobacco products far out-weighs the cost on the NHS

[Bobbisox]

mercia I have said this all along, any Govenment in power are big hypocrites where smoking is concerned

[R1Geezer]

the cost of smnoking is approx 20billion, yet are stll people about who think it in some way contributes! Madness, just make them £100 a packet, end of!

[Bobbisox]

I am a non smoker R1 but my argument has always been that the Govenment of the day rake in a lot of money from the smokers

[R1Geezer]

yes they rake in money but they spend about 3 times what they rake in, directly or indirectly on the effects of smoking.

[Bobbisox]

I can't argue with that R1 and I have no idea about the ratio of spending on the NHS against tax taken from the smoker, I assume you are right

[rojash]

Revenue (direct and indirect) from smoking pulls in about 10 billion a year.
Smoking related diseases cost the NHS around 5 Billion a year.
Therefore smoker are still subsidising non-smokers.
And, no-one has ever bothered to work out, the actual gains (or losses) if those smoking related diseases did not occur. For example many of those smokers would live longer placing additional burdens on the state (within in and without the NHS). And of course, some would go on to contract other age-related illnesses, which impose further burdens on the NHS).

I understand why people get agitated on both sides of the smoking argument, but that's no excuse for just making up figures to suit your arguments.

[IggyB]

its a bonus for those that are involved in the knock off cigarette business - no need to work hard to get the packaging right, they'll be over the moon

[micmak]

I smoke, I drink, I am not over weight. I pay my taxes. Please get off the backs of ordinary people. We all enjoy different things in life. What has happened to live and let live. Remember no one gets out of this life alive. We all have to die of something. So enjoy..... whatever your enjoyment is.

[Everhelpful]

Well said,micmac.

[stokemaveric]

put a picture of a persons face who has just died of a smoking related disese on the packet...job done...

[joko]

mikmak - because it isnt just you 'enjoying' it is it? its everyone near you, ordinary people, being forced to suffer, just so you can enjoy yourself.
it is a deadly habit, so pardon us if we would rather you no longer 'enjoyed' yourself at our expense
live and let is a ridiculous argument because your actions do not let others just live, they shorten the life of yourself and others near you

if the habit was harmful only to the smoker, id say, fill your boots

[micmak]

Disagree Stoke. We all drive, does that mean put a picture of a car crash on the petrol pumps and we will all stop driving.

[micmak]

Joko. The only place I smoke is outside my back door. The only family I have is Mrs MM. Even when it was legal I never smoked in pubs, restaurants etc. I realise non smokers don't want to inhale my smoke. I could say I don't want obese people gorging in my vision, but I won't. Each to their own.

[sherrardk]

Have to agree with micmak on this one. I smoke, but only in the garden. My bad habits are not directly impacting on anyone else. Smokers are a really easy target.

[starone]

If they did that atg they would have a revolution on their hands. Also they might have to make alcohol illegal as well, because that is also a drug. I am not rooting for either side because I do not smoke and only a small amount of drink so it would not make much difference to me.