smoking ban 2030

[zouzounaki]

It will go the way of the other drugs that used to be available over the counter or were commonly used or cultivated (opium, cannabis, cocaine) that governments banned and ended up contraband commodities. Governments don’t like subjects enjoying drugs recreationally for some reason (although as @scrumpox mentioned, as a recreational drugs it’s a bit of a duffer), and would rather criminalise them and create massive problems that needn’t exist.

 

[FatherJackHackett]

Wasn't aware of this, and personally, I think it's a joke.

First of all, people are well aware of the dangers of smoking Tobacco products, so if they choose to smoke, which is legal, then they are well within their rights.

Secondly, it brings an estimated 12.5 Billion into the UK Treasury, and in the grand scheme of things, the UK gains 700-800 Billion from Tax and Local Authorities, but you just know that if they lost out on that 12.5 that the Tobacco industry brings in, they'd collect it from another source, probably by hiking the cost of Alcohol, or maybe they'd just hammer the Vape Industry instead? In any case, there would be a knock on effect.

And I appreciate that people argue that the cost of the Tobacco Industry on the NHS is a burden to the NHS, but here's a direct quote from the Action On Smoking & Health Group.

" According to the Action on Smoking and Health group, smoking costs the NHS in England approximately £2bn a year for treating diseases caused by smoking.

This cost includes hospital admissions, GP consultations and prescriptions - as well as any operations or treatment needed for smoking-related diseases. "

So the reality is, Tobacco brings in roughly 12.5 Billion, and it's costing the NHS around 2-6 Billion, Tobacco income itself could cover that and even add an extra couple of Billion to the NHS, while having a few Billion left to add to the Treasury.

I get apoplectic when we're dictated on what we can and can't do. Smoking is Legal, it brings money into the Treasury, more than it costs our NHS anyway, and people should be free to choose wether they want to smoke or not. Fucking hate Politicians and Governments, really hate them.

Anyway, it would seem like I am rambling on here, so I will apologise in advance for that, but it's a Forum, we're entitled to our Opinion, I just happen to have a very low opinion of those who tell us what we can and can't do.

 

[scrumpox]

Wasn't aware of this, and personally, I think it's a joke.

First of all, people are well aware of the dangers of smoking Tobacco products, so if they choose to smoke, which is legal, then they are well within their rights.

Laws change. If something is made illegal then you are no longer within your rights. Try not wearing a seat belt, or using a mobile phone, whilst driving.

Secondly, it brings an estimated 12.5 Billion into the UK Treasury, and in the grand scheme of things, the UK gains 700-800 Billion from Tax and Local Authorities, but you just know that if they lost out on that 12.5 that the Tobacco industry brings in, they'd collect it from another source, probably by hiking the cost of Alcohol, or maybe they'd just hammer the Vape Industry instead? In any case, there would be a knock on effect.

And I appreciate that people argue that the cost of the Tobacco Industry on the NHS is a burden to the NHS, but here's a direct quote from the Action On Smoking & Health Group.

" According to the Action on Smoking and Health group, smoking costs the NHS in England approximately £2bn a year for treating diseases caused by smoking.

This cost includes hospital admissions, GP consultations and prescriptions - as well as any operations or treatment needed for smoking-related diseases. "

So the reality is, Tobacco brings in roughly 12.5 Billion, and it's costing the NHS around 2-6 Billion, Tobacco income itself could cover that and even add an extra couple of Billion to the NHS, while having a few Billion left to add to the Treasury.

You're arguing the case that smoking is ok because it pays for itself. Would you also argue that murder is ok if the criminal compensation to victims' families is sufficient? Is it ok to commit any crime as long as you're rich enough to pay the fine?

Maybe, just maybe, this isn't about tax revenues?

I get apoplectic when we're dictated on what we can and can't do. Smoking is Legal, it brings money into the Treasury, more than it costs our NHS anyway, and people should be free to choose wether they want to smoke or not. Fucking hate Politicians and Governments, really hate them.

Anyway, it would seem like I am rambling on here, so I will apologise in advance for that, but it's a Forum, we're entitled to our Opinion, I just happen to have a very low opinion of those who tell us what we can and can't do.

I'm with you on civil liberties. I don't happen to give a fuck about smokers when there's a clear alternative that's not only better for them, it's better for everyone around them and significantly cheaper.

 

[Simon G]

Wasn't aware of this, and personally, I think it's a joke.

First of all, people are well aware of the dangers of smoking Tobacco products, so if they choose to smoke, which is legal, then they are well within their rights.

Secondly, it brings an estimated 12.5 Billion into the UK Treasury, and in the grand scheme of things, the UK gains 700-800 Billion from Tax and Local Authorities, but you just know that if they lost out on that 12.5 that the Tobacco industry brings in, they'd collect it from another source, probably by hiking the cost of Alcohol, or maybe they'd just hammer the Vape Industry instead? In any case, there would be a knock on effect.

And I appreciate that people argue that the cost of the Tobacco Industry on the NHS is a burden to the NHS, but here's a direct quote from the Action On Smoking & Health Group.

" According to the Action on Smoking and Health group, smoking costs the NHS in England approximately £2bn a year for treating diseases caused by smoking.

This cost includes hospital admissions, GP consultations and prescriptions - as well as any operations or treatment needed for smoking-related diseases. "

So the reality is, Tobacco brings in roughly 12.5 Billion, and it's costing the NHS around 2-6 Billion, Tobacco income itself could cover that and even add an extra couple of Billion to the NHS, while having a few Billion left to add to the Treasury.

I get apoplectic when we're dictated on what we can and can't do. Smoking is Legal, it brings money into the Treasury, more than it costs our NHS anyway, and people should be free to choose wether they want to smoke or not. Fucking hate Politicians and Governments, really hate them.

Anyway, it would seem like I am rambling on here, so I will apologise in advance for that, but it's a Forum, we're entitled to our Opinion, I just happen to have a very low opinion of those who tell us what we can and can't do.

You sound just like I did when I was a smoker. These days I look at smoking as more of a blight on society and if it was gotten rid of completely I would see that as a good thing.

 

[scrumpox]

You sound just like I did when I was a smoker. These days I look at smoking as more of a blight on society and if it was gotten rid of completely I would see that as a good thing.

Me too ... though there's something nagging away at me that says if the smoking ban works, vaping mght be next in the cross hairs ...

 

[FatherJackHackett]

@scrumpox I am counter-arguing what seems to be the main complaint from those who are against Smoking, they argue that it costs more to the NHS than the Tobacco Industry brings in, factually, they are wrong. My main complaint, or argument, is that people should be free to Smoke if they want too, they know full well the dangers and health hazard it brings, they should't be forced to stop against their will.

Of course laws change, I accept that, but not wearing a seat belt, or driving whilst on the phone are not highly addictive, smoking is, they can't just expect people to stop smoking because the make it against the law, that's utterly outrageous. Coffee is bad for your health, fizzy drinks also, chocolate etc... I could go on, are these all going to be outlawed as well? I may well be getting my wires crossed completely here and jumping the gun, as I am not even sure if it's actually happening, or just being rumoured, but I think it's a joke, just my opinion.

@Simon G That's your choice Simon, and maybe I'll look at it that way once I crack not-smoking for a certain length of time ( I say that because I have bought 1 pack of fags in the last 2 weeks, so not entirely stopped ) but it's no more a blight than Alcohol, for example. I don't mind smoking, it doesn't bother me, I am one of the ones that hated it when they banned it in Scotland from Pubs, hated it, really missed the smokey rooms and general atmosphere that it affected in the subsequent years. I see it a lot differently in terms of my own health, smelly clothes and smelling it off other people since moving on to Vape, but that was my choice to do so, I suppose I might just be utterly disturbed by the notion that these people dictate yet another way of life for us.

 

[MHL]

You sound just like I did when I was a smoker. These days I look at smoking as more of a blight on society and if it was gotten rid of completely I would see that as a good thing.

On one hand I agree, on the other, I could imagine people making the same argument about alcohol. Ban that and I'll be well pissed off.

 

[zouzounaki]

Alcohol is a bit different. Most smokers are habitual addicts. Most (or at least many) drinkers drink moderately.

 

[scrumpox]

On one hand I agree, on the other, I could imagine people making the same argument about alcohol. Ban that and I'll be well pissed off.

Nothing to fear there mate ...

 

[Simon G]

On one hand I agree, on the other, I could imagine people making the same argument about alcohol. Ban that and I'll be well pissed off.

Alcohol is a bit different. Most smokers are habitual addicts. Most (or at least many) drinkers drink moderately.

Yeah, I think it's different most people who have a drink sometimes are not alcoholics.

I do feel the same way about alcoholism though, it's not a good thing, it ruins lives and is detrimental to society at large.