Tobacco tax on the increase.

[Mrs Cowboyz]

Hate to say it but a friend of mine has just being diagnosed with the big C and was told by the experts its a smoking related cancer how much do you smoke? His answer "never have". How does that work???

Its actually more common than you think, I have heard quite a few stories, and there was even one on 60 minutes (I think) not so long ago. Just some people are quick to blame other people and their habits. It couldnt be that they live in polluted cities and breathe in exhaust fumes etc etc. It couldnt be the all the chemicals in most everyday products that we use. No...its passive smoking, must be cause that is the only way someone who has never smoked could contract a "smoking related cancer".

Can I sound more sarcastic?

[Mom]

Hate to say it but a friend of mine has just being diagnosed with the big C and was told by the experts its a smoking related cancer how much do you smoke? His answer "never have". How does that work???

Yepper not surprising at all.

Can I sound more sarcastic?

I thought you were very mild actually. Cancer is an over growth of normal cells. This over growing causes tumors. Depending on where they are and how they develop will determine how long you live with the cancer. Some types will metastasise and you will get it dotted all over your body. Everyone of us has the potential to develop cancer, we all have different triggers, that is why someone that has never smoked can develop lung cancer and the like. If it were that simple there would be an easy fix against it. Dont even start me on the business that is cancer.

[mashman]

Will this affect him in later life?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...rk-ruling.html

[Mudfart]

a good indicator of how treatable an illness, disease whatever is, is to watch how many rich/famous people die of them.
that also tells you how expensive the "miracle" cure costs.

[pete376403]

There is no way that this is the reason it hasn't been banned. Imagine if a political party suddenly said they were going to permanently ban all alcohol, or all cigarrettes. How long do you think they'd stay in power? In all seriousness? Even if the party recovered and made a comeback, it would be unlikely to happen during the political careers of those who banned said substance.

People who think the government are refusing to ban substances like this due to the tax they receive are deluding themselves. It's much simpler - political survival.

Gummint will never outright ban smoking (or drinking) on health related reasons. They would loose the tax take immediately, but will be stuck with the long term cleanup costs (health costs for many more years.

[Owl]

But they aren't funding it. There is a shortfall.

And you actually believe that crap?

I wonder how many cot death babies have been used to up their figures this time?

[peasea]

Something not to say in a gay bar;

Can I bum a fag?

[Morcs]

If they ban smoking, half our hospitals would be able to close.

But whats gonna fund the other half of them then?

[oldrider]

If you are unable to learn from historical mistakes, you are probably doomed to repeat them!

Arnold Nordmeyer (Labours infamous Black Budget) http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/alt_ess...p?essayID=5N12 tried this in 1958 and in 1960 he was gone never to return again, enter Norman Kirk!

Labour carried the label of "one term wonders" for a very long time following that infamous "BLACK" budget!

Alas under the influence of MMP, today's politicians are immune from the effects of history and have nurtured a completely new arrogance instead!

Why are National pandering to the Maori Parties every wish?

Because they want to partner up with them again after the next election!

Politicians are not interested in the wants and needs of the electorate because under MMP they can do what they like, if they have the numbers following the Lotto/election!

They "will" still have the numbers and "you" will still have (enhanced in their favour) "MMP"!

Are most New Zealanders really such slow learners? Apparently they are!

[Swoop]

Government should stay out of the issue. Simply tell the tobacco companies that they can seel as much of their stuff as they want, NO TAXES involved whatsoever.

BUT... they become responsible for ALL of the medical bills for ANYONE with issues related to their products.

See if they like the idea of footing that bill?

[Brian d marge]

ooooohhh yeaaaaahhhh

take it bebe all bebe

[kave]

I'm a non-smoker but I am disgusted by this legislation.

The mad thing in all of this is the horrendous use of outright lies by the government. The government tells you that the health related cost to society of smokers is 1.9 billion dollars. That is a lie. If any sane person goes through the health departments itemised costing to see how the figure of 1.9 billion is arrived at they would be horrified to see what is included on the list. Eric Crampton (a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Canterbury) notes in the New Zealand Medical Journal (15th of February 2008) that "Indeed, tobacco taxes collected, at $980 million, dwarf health care expenditures of $350 million". Now, if the heathcare expenditure on smoking smoking related problems has increased six-fold in two years I would be very suprised.

If you want the actual facts look at what is released in peer-reviewed journals, not what is released by government spin-docters. After costs are recouped smoking provides over 600 million dollars in tax to the government. That is a very substantial amount. And that is before we take into account the reduced pension paid to smokers because of shortened life expectancy. If you ban smoking then tax has to be recouped elsewhere.

[onearmedbandit]

[davereid]

I'm always interested in those who think they have the right to stop other people doing things that dont affect them. Or worse, those that claim they are affected as they pay tax, and the afflicted may get sick blah blah.

Easy solution. Ban only the most dangerous thing, leave the less dangerous things alone.

Then dangerous things, like unprotected sex, alcohol, motorcycling, DIY, are safe right ?

Except, that once smoking is banned, it wont be dangerous. Then something else will be the most dangerous. Hmm, maybe even stuff I like doing. Like motorcycling.

I dont smoke, never have. The only drug I use is alcohol. But, when I was an impoverished student, alcohol was a big part of my budget.

So I made a still. Now I make my alcohol, it better than the bought stuff - I had it tested on a gas chomatograph, and its great. I also make my own beer. Sometimes its good, even excellent.

So just grow your own tobacco. Its legal, and easy as growing cabbage.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Tobacco-Grow...Curing-at-Home

[Skyryder]

Of course it wont work. This one is no different from all the other Nat policies. It's just that a few more on here are starting to see the 'light'.'


Skyryder