Max Headroom Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 And we have Road Tax that pays for roads!!! edited cos I kant spel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkey Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Travel insurance Milk it This was travelling with Nokia. Tho, we have travel insurance - was grimacing in agonising pain and it was easier to reach for my AMEX than try and remember my policy #. Heheh Nurses were quite fit tho! And I had a Doctor-Lady ... Mmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 This was travelling with Nokia. Tho, we have travel insurance - was grimacing in agonising pain and it was easier to reach for my AMEX than try and remember my policy #. Heheh Nurses were quite fit tho! And I had a Doctor-Lady ... Mmmmm Yeah yeah more like you was flashing the plastic to get the fit Doc..OR hang on are you sure you was in a medical establishment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupra Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I see the point in saying we should'nt accept smoking related illness on the nhs, but i agree with you guys that say we cant treat em differantly. Like scoboblio said, plenty of people wind up in hospital through doing somthing they choose to do. We gonna turn them away too ?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I say treble the tax on fags and sort the NHS out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Tough one too call. Personally I much prefer how the Americans do it. Low taxes on everything, but you have to pay your way. We pay between 17.5-80% (I am talking like sales tax, duty and goverment tax BTW) tax on everything (except food and kids clothes say). Americans have to pay for the healthcare and other things on an as and when required - but only pay for like 0-15% tax rates. Gaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I say treble the tax on fags and sort the NHS out! The government has tried throwing money at the NHS, it doesn't work. Just look at that instance a few months back when a NHS trust spent £70K on a polished rock for their entrance. Need to get rid of the bean counters, outreach workers, community enablers and start recruiting more nurses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I say sack everyone in the NHS! (Just practicing for the PM role by shouting out random statements and changing my mind every minute) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 All these "smoking will lead you to an early grave" stickers on cigarette packets haven't worked... how about some with "smoking will result in you paying for you own hospital bill"? And, "Over eating will result in you paying for you own hospital bill"... and, "Long term drinking of alcohol will result in you paying for you own hospital bill" and, "Stress induced illness caused by trying to keep up with the Jones' will result in you paying for you own hospital bill" and........ Let's face it, most people are in hospital on a self-induced basis, so why punish just the smokers?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 And, "Over eating will result in you paying for you own hospital bill"... and, "Long term drinking of alcohol will result in you paying for you own hospital bill" and, "Stress induced illness caused by trying to keep up with the Jones' will result in you paying for you own hospital bill" and........ Let's face it, most people are in hospital on a self-induced basis, so why punish just the smokers?... good point well made. Not defending smokers but you wouldn't ask a person who was injured in a car crash to pay a tax because they got in a car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 good point well made. Not defending smokers but you wouldn't ask a person who was injured in a car crash to pay a tax because they got in a car LOL Being the mean SOB that I am, I would if the journey was non-essential..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Good debating topic this...... I smoke, and I've tried several times to give up. I'm 47, and I've been paying tax and national insurance since I was 15. I've been in hostpital a couple of times and I guess I've used NHS doctors and dentists etc an average number of times...do I think I've had my moneys worth yet ? Absolutely not...if, my god forbid, I need NHS help due to smoking sometime in the future, I reckon I've paid in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markymark Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 got a light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkey Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Yeah yeah more like you was flashing the plastic to get the fit Doc..OR hang on are you sure you was in a medical establishment? Ssssshhhhh! Don't tell everyone man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Snap and it's thanks to my generousity that the last few remaining breweries and still hanging on too. Naah, you're just paying the wages of our people in Iraq! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Naah, you're just paying the wages of our people in Iraq! Somethings wrong then. They should have bigger guns and better tanks then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 May be the fag industry should contribute to the NHS, they have plenty of money. Banning smoking, will not resolve for many years, I thought it was 20+ year before cancers could be said to be not related to smoking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkey Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 And it wasn't too long ago - that the 12 CEO's of big tobacco in the USA - stood in the Supreme Court and each said: "I believe that nicotine is NOT addictive." And - they chemically enhanced the tabacco to make it MORE addictive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Nobody makes people smoke, they all make a conscious decision to start and to carry on. Probably most of them actually enjoy it (why??? beats the hell out of me!) so the warning labels won't stop them. Everyone is now aware of the health dangers, and either don't care, give up, or whine that they "can't"...I say bollocks to that, you just don't want to put in the effort. If people can give up on heroin, they can give up on tobacco. Anyway, the NHS is probably one of the greatest achievements of Great Britain, and we should be proud of that. Someones previous point that pen-pushers, bean counters and other waste-of-money roles should be cut out is exactly my opinion - let the healthcare professionals do what they are trained and experienced in doing and things will get better. Government targets, micro-management and inspirational posters don't help. How are these two sets of outrageous opinions connected to the original question? Buggered if I know, but I DO know that certain medical procedures are withheld from patients who can't be bothered to do their part - heart transplants for example, and quite right too - they messed up their first heart, why give them a second one if they're still puffing away on their death bed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkey Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 How are these two sets of outrageous opinions connected to the original question? Buggered if I know, but I DO know that certain medical procedures are withheld from patients who can't be bothered to do their part - heart transplants for example, and quite right too - they messed up their first heart, why give them a second one if they're still puffing away on their death bed? That's quite true. George Best is a fine example ... I don't think anyone is defending smoking. I think the gist of the thread is that it's 6 & 2 x 3's - between the smokers & and the government. The Government should make more of an effort - but of course, we both know that smoking is one of the highest revenue earners in the country. Yes - probably is a waste of the NHS's time & resources treating smoking paitents ... but then ask yourself why aren't the Government NOT introducing stricter measures ? I think it's important to look at the bigger picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 I think the Americans have got it right where you need medical insurance cover. There's too many cling ons in this world. here here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 We all pay to use the NHS - how can we say no to those in need, we are fortunate enough not to have to use it, BUT perhaps those who smoke should have a heavier premium or have to take out a private insurance scheme to treat any smoking related diseases, caused directly by their own personal abuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 ...or have to take out a private insurance scheme to treat any smoking related diseases, caused directly by their own personal abuse. Can you imagine the size of the premiums demanded? "Sir, you'd like smoking insurance to cover your potentially fatal habit...you're 45, you smoke 40 a day (and the rest!), you don't exercise, you drink 15 units per week (and the rest!), and you live in London (smog-central). That makes your premium £20,000 per annum. Would you like to pay in one lump sum, or 12 installments? Actually, we only take full payment up front, because we don't think you'll survive the year sir." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 We all pay to use the NHS - how can we say no to those in need, we are fortunate enough not to have to use it, BUT perhaps those who smoke should have a heavier premium or have to take out a private insurance scheme to treat any smoking related diseases, caused directly by their own personal abuse. OK fine...but then the same should apply to people who throw food down their gullets in alarming quantities, people who sprain their muscles, joints while over-excercising,...blah, blah....... It cannot possibly apply to only one section of the community... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Ark - one heart operation caused by smoking can cost in excess of £20k how many of them per day are carried out? But, fair comment, premiums would be huge. As Pete said, wang shed loads of money on a packet of fags - £20 for a packet of 20 and £15 going to the NHS - Jobs a gud un. Andrew, did you notice I didn't go down the route of the larger people, not that I'm large, but at least being big is acceptable by them who are not, I do find smoking offensive, but accept it when I go into a bar because we live in a democratic society, I don't have to go into the smoky bar but I chose too, but at the same time wouldn't it be nice to think a smoker would respect me and notice I'm not smoking and move away. I detect a minor rant there - sorry guys.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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