Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon Booth
Not only do smokers pay over £8billion tax per year as against drug addicts £0,they also tend to die younger,thus saving the state a fortune in healthcare,care homes,pensions etc.Also they then free up living accomodation,creating space so first time buyers can get on the ladder.With the problems we have with an ageing population,overcrowding etc. I think smoking should be made compulsory as a civic duty.And cigarettes issued free!
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I think that your reasoning is a bit flawed.
Smokers suffer from more heart related illnesses, cancer and chest problems, and mothers who smoke in pregnancy are likely to have underweight babies and premature delivery...so the cost of healthcare for these conditions would not be met entirely from the tax accrued....they may die earlier, but they may also have been on illness related benefits before their demise.
And yes it is cost effective to try to get smokers to stop, but it does deprive the exchequer from a lucrative pool of revenue.