Vote on this one

[jumpy]

I'm afraid we already pay for our own healthcare here in the UK, via the medium of income tax and National-health Insurance contributions (these are deducted by the Inland Revenue from all taxable earnings) - all of which in some way go towards the upkeep of our National Health Service. Not to mention the huge VAT levied on tobacco products, which incidentally also has a percentage apportioned out to the NHS.

[Respenus]

Hear, hear! Finally a government with some salt as smoking is concerned. Please, SubSim smokers, don't impale me for this statement, it's just that I would like too see smoking gone, together with binge drinking (and/or any excesive use of alcohol) and even stricter drug controls (not that this is the main issue of this topic).

I do have to add that I believe that the government should and must offer state controled and financed help for those who want to stop of any the forementioned habits. If it already exists, make it even more wide spread. Yes, I'm taking all "joy" from life, but it's for a better tommorow and for your health aswell. I know "banning" smoking will take a huge chunck out of a country's budget and hit its GDP (if any part of its economy is connected to tobaco processing). We must try to live a healthy and clean lives, away from any bad habits!

Now, I'm not saying that I know what's the status of GB like nowadays and I'm sure that there should be other things that should interest the government more, yet it is nice to see someone taking measures to tackle this problem.

[August]

Originally Posted by Respenus

We must try to live a healthy and clean lives, away from any bad habits!

I can agree with the sentiment but what justifies punishing people who don't?