The Student Room Group

Smoking & the NHS

Smoking is estimated to cost the NHS between 2.7 and 5 billion a year, depending on who's estimates you believe. Tax revenues from cigarettes were estimated at 10.5 billion a year in 2009. This means smokers are practically subsidising the NHS to the tune of around 6 billion pounds a year, directly paying for your medicines and treatment - putting in more than double what is taken away.

Does this change how you feel about smokers? What's your view on this?
Can't believe nobody has an opinion on this!
The irony of that is just hilarious.
Original post by Greenlaner
The irony of that is just hilarious.


Isn't it just?
Reply 4
Avatar for Bellrosk
Bellrosk
9
Source(s)?
Original post by Bellrosk
Source(s)?


How much smoking costs the NHS;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7654153.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8086142.stm

Smoking Tax Revenues;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/459157.stm (very old)
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-publications-research/facts-figures/tax-revenue-from-tobacco/ (A little unreliable as a tobacco company's own figures, but when placed together seem reasonable.)
Knew this a while ago, there have been a few posts on this and the majority of people are generally dismissive about it. Unsurprisingly.
Reply 7
Avatar for Bellrosk
Bellrosk
9
Original post by AskMeAnything
How much smoking costs the NHS;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7654153.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8086142.stm

Smoking Tax Revenues;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/459157.stm (very old)
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-publications-research/facts-figures/tax-revenue-from-tobacco/ (A little unreliable as a tobacco company's own figures, but when placed together seem reasonable.)


Cheers! I'm a smoker myself and wanted to make sure this argument is backed up with fact as others have been stating otherwise on here.
Original post by Dream Weaver
Knew this a while ago, there have been a few posts on this and the majority of people are generally dismissive about it. Unsurprisingly.


I don't get it, they all talk about the strain it puts on the NHS - not about the 6 billion pound investment it pumps into it ON TOP OF paying for itself.

I'm a very, very mild smoker, but I just think - we'be pushed smokers outside, making second hand smoke risks negligible. Now they're just paying for 5% of the NHS's budget - that's not even including taxes on tobacco corporations!
You could do a small study, for example, to compute the advantage of smokers minus the disadvantage of smokers, and maybe you will have a better view on it..
Reply 10
Avatar for ShakeyJJ
ShakeyJJ
10
As a smoker I think people claiming that smokers shouldn't have free treatment on the NHS are absolute morons.

If this is your view, I hope you think that drinkers should also have no free treatment on the NHS.

Perhaps drivers who get into accidents as well?

These are all risks that people impose on themselves through free will, stop singling smokers out as if we're the 'bad guys.' A legal drug that many are addicted to, why should we be denied treatment despite it being a detrimental habit?

Utter bull.
Reply 11
Avatar for My Life
My Life
1
Im Innocent I dont Smoke
Reply 12
Avatar for Aj12
Aj12
18
I think its a filthy habit and I would never smoke. However my view goes its your body as long as your not hurting me or anyone else, its all good.

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