Looks like the price of cigarettes is about to rocket.

[bigmarco]

So what is it that is so good about smoking?

What are the benefits? What are the plusses?

We say it is one of life's little pleasures, but what exactly is that pleasure?

From the sound of it it must be bl00dy good.

There are many things that people see as a pleasure in life that I just don't understand, but they enjoy and I will always respect their right to do it.
I do have a problem with Governments pretending that they are concerned about the health of a nation and for the benefit of everyones health increasing taxes on something. If they were that concerned about health they would ban it altogether. You and I know that if everyone stopped smoking tomorrow they would have to generate the massive revenue stream from elsewhere.
It appears to me that the Government in the Philippines are now waking up to the idea that there is a lot of revenue to be earned from the tobacco industry whilst dressing it up as caring for the health of the nation . The only difference is that in such a poor country where 2.9 million people are dependant on the Tabacco industry for their living this could have dramatic consequences .
Now if you'll excuse me I've just got up and am about to enjoy my second cup of tea of the morning along with my second cigarette.

[lastlid]

Now if you'll excuse me I've just got up and am about to enjoy my second cup of tea of the morning along with my second cigarette.

[lastlid]

If they were that concerned about health they would ban it altogether. You and I know that if everyone stopped smoking tomorrow they would have to generate the massive revenue stream from elsewhere.

What is that revenue stream? Is it so big these days? As far as I can see there are far less smokers about than ever. We must have turned the corner on that and thus the government must be taking less revenue.

[bigmarco]

What is that revenue stream? Is it so big these days? As far as I can see there are far less smokers about than ever. We must have turned the corner on that and thus the government must be taking less revenue.

I've read that 77% of the price of 20 goes to the exchequer. That equates to about £11 billion a year. A tidy sum.

[lastlid]

I've read that 77% of the price of 20 goes to the exchequer. That equates to about £11 billion a year. A tidy sum.

No doubt dwindling. Personally I don't believe that the UK government rely on that money. I imagine it is offset by the health related costs to the NHS etc etc

[bigmarco]

No doubt dwindling. Personally I don't believe that the government rely on that money. I imagine it is offset by the health related costs to the NHS etc etc

Your starting to sound like a politician.

[fred]

Your starting to sound like a politician.

Too right!!.
Is there no where left to hide from these do gooders?

[lastlid]

Too right!!.
Is there no where left to hide from these do gooders?

The Philippines?

[lastlid]

Your starting to sound like a politician.

Not at all. Just not comfortable with smoking. I admit that it is no doubt hard to get off them, once on them. I saw that in my ex wife. Once addicted it must be so difficult to ditch the habit, but other than that I can't think of a single benefit to smoking.

And it aint good for the sex life, aint good for the skin and slows the brain down.

[bigmarco]

No doubt dwindling.

Wrong
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-public...-from-tobacco/

In 2006/07 smoking cost the NHS £2.7 billion yet raised £10 billion in taxes.
http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_694.pdf

Once again a rather large revenue stream for the Government.

[lastlid]

Wrong
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-public...-from-tobacco/

In 2006/07 smoking cost the NHS £2.7 billion yet raised £10 billion in taxes.
http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_694.pdf

Once again a rather large revenue stream for the Government.