Smoking Ban in England (merged)

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 10:49

With the advent of the smoking ban in 10 weeks,it occurs to me that if everyone gave up smoking,how would the Govt recover the tax from the purchase of cigs.
How would tax payers feel about massive tax increases,to cover the missing billions that smokers provide.

cobaltmale · 25/04/07 - 10:52

chas smash wrote:

With the advent of the smoking ban in 10 weeks.

That's only in England dear and it's not an outright ban anyway ...

G

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:07

cobaltmale wrote:

That's only in England dear and it's not an outright ban anyway ...

G

My point was Dear,that when the smoking ban comes in,if every smoker decided to stop smoking how would you feel about paying big increases in tax to supplement the missing revenue.

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:10

chas smash wrote:

My point was Dear,that when the smoking ban comes in,if every smoker decided to stop smoking how would you feel about paying big increases in tax to supplement the missing revenue.

But wouldn't the NHS need less funding as they wouldn't be treating as many cases of lung cancer, thus counterbalancing the loss of revenue?

(an oldie but a goodie, eh?)

indianwells · 25/04/07 - 11:10

Hasn't this been done to death? And then some.........

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:12

indianwells wrote:

Hasn't this been done to death? And then some.........

yeah I think it has......

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:14

Claratana wrote:

But wouldn't the NHS need less funding as they wouldn't be treating as many cases of lung cancer, thus counterbalancing the loss of revenue?

(an oldie but a goodie, eh?)

Yes it would need less funding,but the difference is still astronomical.

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:16

chas smash wrote:

Yes it would need less funding,but the difference is still astronomical.

But in all honesty, how likely is it that evryone will give up smoking?

It hasn't happened here. People just smoke at home rather than in public places. I don't know anyone who gave up because of it.

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:17

Claratana wrote:

But in all honesty, how likely is it that evryone will give up smoking?

It hasn't happened here. People just smoke at home rather than in public places. I don't know anyone who gave up because of it.

It did contribute to my decision to give up but there were other reasons too.

UKMikey · 25/04/07 - 11:20

BBC News wrote:

Workers should be given time off without losing pay to attend stop smoking clinics, NHS experts say.

It is part of a range of measures being recommended to businesses by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The watchdog said employers should be doing all they can to help staff give up smoking in the lead up to the start of the ban in England on 1 July.

But the smokers' lobby group Forest said the idea was ridiculous.

I don't see what's wrong with this idea if employers can afford it. Dunno what nadiasantos would say - s/he'd probably be on FOREST's side, I guess.

cobaltmale · 25/04/07 - 11:21

UKMikey wrote:

I don't see what's wrong with this idea if employers can afford it.

I found the FOREST view odd as well.

G

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:24

UKMikey wrote:

I don't see what's wrong with this idea if employers can afford it. Dunno what nadiasantos would say - s/he'd probably be on FOREST's side, I guess.

Thats a good idea,but what happens if you start smoking again would you owe the company days.

UKMikey · 25/04/07 - 11:25

cobaltmale wrote:

I found the FOREST view odd as well.

I guess they're worried about the possible drop in membership?

The employers aren't happy, either, but that's understandable as they'd be out of pocket. Aside from the time lost, nicotine replacement therapy ain't cheap.

cobaltmale · 25/04/07 - 11:27

UKMikey wrote:

I guess they're worried about the possible drop in membership?.

AIUI you don't have to be a smoker to be pro-smoking and vice versa.

G

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:28

Claratana wrote:

But wouldn't the NHS need less funding as they wouldn't be treating as many cases of lung cancer, thus counterbalancing the loss of revenue?

(an oldie but a goodie, eh?)

Smokers pay for their healthcare 4 times over.

Maybe they will tax food more.......(it is well known that quitting smoking makes you crave food)

UKMikey · 25/04/07 - 11:28

chas smash wrote:

Thats a good idea,but what happens if you start smoking again would you owe the company days.

That's abloody good question. I'd imagine the most caring (and deep-pocketed?) firms would recognise that the re-takeup rate of people who give up smoking is very high, simply because nicotine is so addictive.

The firm I work for allows for three retakes of occupational exams - perhaps they could see this in the same way?

UKMikey · 25/04/07 - 11:29

cobaltmale wrote:

AIUI you don't have to be a smoker to be pro-smoking and vice versa.

G

You can be an anti-smoking smoker?

cobaltmale · 25/04/07 - 11:29

UKMikey wrote:

You can be an anti-smoking smoker?

Well pro-ban then.

G

UKMikey · 25/04/07 - 11:30

jen0607 wrote:

Smokers pay for their healthcare 4 times over.

Maybe they will tax food more.......(it is well known that quitting smoking makes you crave food)

Food and big pants.

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:30

jen0607 wrote:

Smokers pay for their healthcare 4 times over.

That depends on which website you read...

And don't forget about those people who receive treatment for cancer and other ailments acquired through passive smoking.

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 11:55

Does anyone know what and where you can or cannot smoke.

cobaltmale · 25/04/07 - 11:59

chas smash wrote:

Does anyone know what and where you can or cannot smoke.

I'm sure you can smoke a copy of the Daily Mail or a carrot if you so choose, it's the where that's being regulated.

G

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 12:03

cobaltmale wrote:

I'm sure you can smoke a copy of the Daily Mail

Far more poisonous than nicotine

elena · 25/04/07 - 12:07

Oh, people will get used to it. And I doubt it'll stop many people smoking.

Taglet · 25/04/07 - 12:09

jen0607 wrote:

Smokers pay for their healthcare 4 times over.

Maybe they will tax food more.......(it is well known that quitting smoking makes you crave food)

Smokers dont just cost in terms of health care, they cost in

-Absence from work due to smoking related sickness

-Smoking breaks while at work

-Treatment for smoking related ailments

-Litter from dropped packets/cigarette ends

-Re-decoration of public places stained with nicotene

-Benefit payments while on sick or incapacitated due to smoking ailments

-Cost of smoking abstinance programmes, literature etc

-Treatment, absence and benefits paid to those suffering through passive smoking - particularly relevant to family members of the smoker (children for example)

4 times over may not be enough!

[Deleted User] · 25/04/07 - 12:11

It's worked out fine in Scotland, I still smoke, but have to go outside pubs/clubs. The only problem there is that random people feel they can talk to you! Thats about it! I think bingo halls have taken the biggest hit, but a bakers/cafe here that used to be unbearable to go into for the smoke fug now gets much more trade!

I think if you can do it in Scotland, you can do it anywhere!

Hey there!

Quick Links

Smoking Ban in England (merged)

Comments