Watchful Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Breaking news this morning is about all the lost revenue from cigarette smokers, after the successful campaign urging people to quit for health reasons, making a big hole in the Treasury's pocket.I always wondered what would happen if all the smokers gave up and where would the tax come from then?......I think we know now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 They shot themselves in the foot with that campaign.Nice not to have the smell of smoke everywhere though.(nothing worse than a reformed smoker like me..........) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Nice not to have the smell of smoke everywhere though.(nothing worse than a reformed smoker like me..........) I agree...I'm one of those dreaded reformed smokers too. :D As we all know, they are now targeting alcohol and fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I always wondered what would happen if all the smokers gave up and where would the tax come from then?......I think we know now It would be even worse if we all gave up our cars but it's just not practical so we have to put up with high fuel and car tax for the foreseeable future :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 For an alternative view check out Harold Macmillan who was an enthusiastic pipe and cigar smoker and like most smokers clearly in denial about the hazards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 The bottom line is that they'll get the tax off us one way or another be it, nicotine, alcohol, gambling, driving., etc. Who wants to give everything up? :0 and then there's food, which we all need.So, all those with all the 'vices' are paying more tax than anyone else If there is anyone else left that is! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 If people pack up smoking, then it stands to reason that in addition to taking in less tobacco revenue, the exchequer saves on NHS bills treating the results of smoking, and also on lost production time due to smokers becoming ill and loosing time at work. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 If people pack up smoking, then it stands to reason that in addition to taking in less tobacco revenue, the exchequer saves on NHS bills treating the results of smoking, and also on lost production time due to smokers becoming ill and loosing time at work. :DAndsome I have to disagree with your last statement.Obesity has taken over from smoking, and is now costing the NHS more than smoking used to.It could be a lot to do with the fact that in this economic climate, both parents are forced to work to keep their heads above water, so they eat more convenience (junk) foods.I for one am glad that I have left the rat race, you cannot beat home prepared and cooked meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 If people pack up smoking, then it stands to reason that in addition to taking in less tobacco revenue, the exchequer saves on NHS bills treating the results of smoking, and also on lost production time due to smokers becoming ill and loosing time at work. :DAndsome I have to disagree with your last statement.Obesity has taken over from smoking, and is now costing the NHS more than smoking used to.It was a nice day here in Gods own County yesterday and management and I had gone into Pocklington. She had an appointment with a chiropractor and I would do some shopping whilst she was getting pain.Only being a man I completed my shopping task in about ten minutes and so I sat in the car, parked on Market Street and watched the world going by.Prior to yesterday afternoons observations, whilst I would have agreed with your claim, Alan, I would have thought the real whammy would be several years ahead. My view then being based on what I have seen on supermarket shopping trips with management. However yesterday afternoon everyone was stripped down to the minimum for reasons of heat. What I saw left me totally gobsmacked.Without a coat or anorak etc. to cover up the lard, all was revealed. Well not all but sufficient to allow no misinterpretation of what was there. There were lots of children about too, due to the school holidays, and they were just the same shape as the adults they were accompanying.It made Les Dawson's RollyPollies look like wood nymphs. Talk about "Let it all hang out". If it had been let out it would have been impossible to get it all back.I came to the conclusion that within 5 years there will be very serious trouble. So much so that if I were in Gordon Brown's shoes I would slap a "fat tax" on the population to recoup all, and more, of the Northern Rock "loan" whilst there are still some wandering about, because shortly they could become extinct as a species.Perhaps some experimentation should begin into recycling it all as "Bio diesel". It would be a shame to see it all buried and turned to methane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I disagree with andsome's observation because, exactly as said by Alan and catgate, obesity is on the increase (my other half is a prime example) not because of junk-food but because he eats twice as much since he stopped smoking and, as many will testify, it's just as hard to come off food as it is to come off nicotine :( and it's a good bet that being overweight is just as dangerous to health as smoking too much.Any saving from less smoking-related treatment will be easily taken up by the obese and the binge-drinkers who saturate the A&E depts. on weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I'd better shut up on this one then. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I'd better shut up on this one then. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:Wise words! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I'm saying nowt on this un. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I'm saying nowt on this un. :DIf you do they'll shout at you. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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