Fags out. - Page 4

Mik Dickinson · 13-03-2005, 20:12

As i referred to in my previous post.In the 16 yesr i have been in my present firm i have the lowest sick rate of all workers.A lot of which are non smokers.Less visits tothe G.P. means less costs on the N.H.S.

Another thing is who will replace the lost 13.000.000 pond in inland revenue that will be lost by the costs of cigarettes??? The non smokers, i think not

Bazf · 13-03-2005, 20:27

Helping smokers stop is cost effective. The cost per life year saved of a comprehensive treatment service is about £900. Many health economists and officials rate a treatment that costs from £5,000 to £10,000 per life year saved as very good value for money.
The development of NHS smoking cessation services means that the GP need do no more than give brief advice about stopping, prescribe a treatment and/or refer to the local service, rather than spend time trying to meet all the needs of smokers trying to quit.
Helping smokers stop will reduce the costs of treating other illnesses before they arise, releasing resources for other uses. Smoking is linked to over fifty diseases, of which over twenty are fatal. Stopping smoking significantly reduces the risk of these diseases, with some immediate gains. For example, the risk of some heart diseases and stroke falls by around a half within the first two years after stopping smoking.

Helping smokers stop will reduce surgery visits from patients as they become less vulnerable to colds, 'flu, and other illnesses indirectly linked to smoking.

Helping smokers stop will also help avoid the cost of treatment linked to the effects on smokers’ children. Around 17,000 children under five enter hospital each year with conditions such as asthma and glue ear as a result of their parents’ smoking.

Income tax rates are lower now than at any time since I have worked in the department and what isn't generated from that source must be recouped from elsewhere. The government-generated hysteria against smoking is a good ploy to enable the chancellor to levy higher and higher duty on tobacco without a public outcry. What a coup if the very people who are maintaining the NHS could be denied its services into the bargain.

The UK government earned £8,093 million in revenue from tobacco duty excluding VAT in the financial year 2003-04.
The UK goverment (NHS)spent 128,000 million on Smoking related diseases in the financial year 2003-4.

the same problem over there in the USA don't you, and from experience the weed is cheaper over there than here in the UK.

Don't you also have a major problem over there with the diet thing, over eating over weight as we have here in the UK, would you deny them national health service as well.

We dont have a national health service we pay for everything from a doctors vist to a flu shot and the weed is cheaper and it is banned in all pubs clubs and resturants in Florida and because of our weather anyone who wants to smoke can sit outside as for overweight or overeating same as smoking its a choice.

dillon · 13-03-2005, 20:40

Anybody read in the LET the other week about the eight year old on 20 cigarettes a day?

That's why we need to do as much as we can to make sure that people are aware of the dangers of smoking, and that there is a service there for them to stop if they need it.
Then, at least if people choose to smoke, I for one won't need to say, 'I told you so' when the inevitable lung cancer kicks in, as it has in one of my relatives.

garinda · 14-03-2005, 00:17

The Health service in France, is a darn sight better than ours, and yes it's free. Less tax is also levied against tobacco there too.

Like previously posted, it's positively rude not to smoke in France.

Gobsmacked · 14-03-2005, 00:31

Heaven forfend that we should seek to imitate the French.

As for detailing all the health benefits of not smoking I doubt a smoker would be swayed by them. The addiction has too strong a hold. They often find a way to rationalise the habit citing the revenue earned from taxing their cigarettes as a prime example of why we should not try to dissuade them. In the end it's merely an excuse and they know it but won't admit it.

I've tried to persuade someone close to me to quit and for a while during a brief period of success this person was full of self righteous admiration. Alas it didn't last and now the excuses come forth and I have tired of the discussion. If someone really doesn't want to quite they will find any available excuse to justify not doing so.

If you must smoke then please do so in the privacy of a closed room which I do not have to enter. If there is one thing I cannot stand it is inhaling second hand smoke and the smell of stale tobacco. Oh, that's two things. lol

garinda · 14-03-2005, 00:38

l' m afraid l'm going to have to withdrew your invitation to tea then.

lnformed choice is always more preferable to censorship, which never really works, it just goes underground like a rabbit with a weed addiction.

Gobsmacked · 14-03-2005, 00:42

I'll come if I can wear a gas mask

garinda · 14-03-2005, 00:49

No, but you can stand outside, lol!

Just read baz's journal, memories of 'sharing the odd herbal cigarette.'
Ah, the ex-smoker, hence the reams of unsubstantiated facts and figures. ASH?

dillon · 14-03-2005, 08:06

"As for detailing all the health benefits of not smoking I doubt a smoker would be swayed by them. The addiction has too strong a hold. They often find a way to rationalise the habit citing the revenue earned from taxing their cigarettes as a prime example of why we should not try to dissuade them. In the end it's merely an excuse and they know it but won't admit it."
This year, the smoking cessation service for Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen have already seen more than 1,400 people who want to give up. Public opinions are changing.

garinda · 14-03-2005, 08:50

Public opinion is changing. Historically l think they will look back at tobacco and smoking it, as madness.

park381 · 14-03-2005, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Public opinion is changing. Historically l think they will look back at tobacco and smoking it, as madness.

Could well do, but there are still a lot of young people taking up the habit

garinda · 14-03-2005, 09:00

l am neither young or old, but l am in a strange predicament. l've been told by the Specialist l can't stop smoking because of the drugs l'm on. Now l have had the choice taken away from me, l of course want to stop! Typical me.

park381 · 14-03-2005, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

l am neither young or old, but l am in a strange predicament. l've been told by the Specialist l can't stop smoking because of the drugs l'm on. Now l have had the choice taken away from me, l of course want to stop! Typical me.

That seems strange coming from a specialist in the health service?
When I said young I meant the 14/15/16 year olds

garinda · 14-03-2005, 09:11

Lol, yes in the health service. See my jouranal entry Dr Doom v Garindazella.

Bazf · 14-03-2005, 12:34

I haven't had a ciggy for 8yrs and it was the hardest thing I ever did, I tried everything from hypnotism to acupunture from cutting down to patches, nothing worked except cold turkey and even 3yrs later I could easily have gone back to smoking, I watched my mum die of cancer didn't make me want to stop, so I agree if you don't want to you won't and I admire anyone who does, second hand smoke doesn't bother me anymore I just don't like it, but the biggest thing I noticed and it must have been so obvious when I smoked was the smell of my clothes and my wardrobe as a smoker you just don't notice it.