Mark Croucher: (1) What does it cost in foreign exchange to import the 'stuff
'in the first place? (2) The cost to the Health Service is only a small part of the total amount. (3) What does it cost to keep them on on Social Security whilst ill? (4) What is the Tax and N.I, loss to the Exchequer whilst they are ill? (5) What other benefits do they receive whilst ill: Income Support, rate-rebate, free school lunches for their children, etc.? I fear that you have a very narrow view of 'economic cost'. Would you provide the source of those statistics which you have quoted?
* Would you find the statistics to support your claim (smoking related diseases)? Why are pension providers willing to give smokers a special deal? Their actuaries are interested only in the statistical evidence. Are you claiming that premature death is unrelated to smoking- particularly heavy smoking? Should people wish to smoke let them do it. But to claim that they, 'Smoke for England' in terms of their economic contribution is sheer Alf Garnet nonsense.
If an income, from being a vendor of ale, is becoming increasingly parlous
to obtain, will you be returning to journalism very soon? Presumably, there may be a post pending with UKIP. On the other hand, NF may be very angry towards you, now he's had more information about your previous Human Resource choices. Life has never been easy I'm afraid; just soldier on.
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