UKIP leader Farage backs new freedom to smoke campaign

Millennium3 · 09-02-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie65

I am still at work so not much chance to check my sources, but I think it is 10.8 Billion in tobacco taxation, Against 1.7 Billion in DIRECT NHS costs.

This latter figure does not take into account the indirect costs of smoking.
I am a Smoker

Nor the fact that, if smokers die earlier, they will draw old age pensions for less time

cookie65 · 09-02-2007, 06:44 PM

or that we pay loads of VAT on Lighters, Matches and extra redecorating

Edward Longshanks · 10-02-2007, 01:00 PM

Let's face it we'll pay tax for just walking under this government soon! The govt makes a huge amount from smokers, for example a packet of 20 from the Czech Republic costs £1, whereas here it's over £4.

Internationalist · 10-02-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Longshanks

Let's face it we'll pay tax for just walking under this government soon!

Have you put this idea to the Treasury, EL? They will make you a policy adviser if you can come up with ideas like this.

Tom Wilde · 10-02-2007, 02:19 PM

I don't smoke and I always prefer to eat/drink in a smoke-free environment. And smoking really does kill people.

Nonetheless, I'm completely in favour of this new UKIP policy. If we are really a party that stands up for the freedom of the individual, then we should defend the right of people to poison themselves with nicotine if they want.

If a pub allows smoking, then they will attract business from smokers, and simultaneously lose business from people like me. It should be up to them to make that calculation.

Staff applying for jobs in a pub that allows smoking should know that they are entering a hazardous environment - but should be free to do so if, having weighed up the risks, they decide to apply for the job anyway.

My only big reservation concerns staff in pubs/restaurants which are currently no-smoking but which under a UKIP-supported law decided to switch to allowing smoking. I think that would be pretty rough on the staff - either leave your job or stay on in an environment which has suddenly become hazardous. I think that they should be allowed to demand a very generous severance payment in such cases if they decide to go.

Alex McKee · 10-02-2007, 09:04 PM

Well put Tom.

Ted Bovis · 10-02-2007, 09:21 PM

The staffing in pubs issue is most relevant. Minimum wage workers, often students or immigrants, have little choice where they work: They take it where they can find it.

Have you noticed that the only people who argue that passive smoking is not a health problem for others are smokers themselves?

Ever kissed a girl who smokes? Its horrible!

Smoking in a public place is about as nice as cr*pping in public. If it were not illegal, however, there are many people out there who would think nothing of doing even that. Thats why societies need laws. To protect us from ignorant selfish idiots.

mkpdavies · 10-02-2007, 09:26 PM

Another fascist in our midst.

Plenty of people who don't smoke (inlcluding me) don't believe in forcing private companies and pub owners to ban smoking.

Do you think the army should ban bullets, because it's dangerous for it's workers?

If people are willing to working in smoky atmospheres, then that's their call, no-one is forcing them to.

Staring at a screen all day isn't good for my health either, but I choose to do it. Freedom, remeber that quaint little idea.

Alex McKee · 10-02-2007, 09:37 PM

I don't smoke either, Ted.

Ted Bovis · 10-02-2007, 10:25 PM

I suspect Davies smokes.

To draw a parallel between banning smoking in certain public places, and the Army banning bullets, is infantile. Do you imagine that any informed or educated person would enter this debate with you? Grow up.

But then this is the party that produced an article, in all seriousness, stating that wind turbines slow down the Earth's rotation.

10-02-2007, 09:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	Another fascist in our midst. Plenty of people who don't smoke (inlcluding me) don't believe in forcing private companies and pub owners to ban smoking. Do you think the army should ban bullets, because it's dangerous for it's workers? If people are willing to working in smoky atmospheres, then that's their call, no-one is forcing them to. Staring at a screen all day isn't good for my health either, but I choose to do it. Freedom, remeber that quaint little idea. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

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09-02-2007, 06:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
cookie65 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: hyde cheshire Posts: 648	or that we pay loads of VAT on Lighters, Matches and extra redecorating

10-02-2007, 01:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
Edward Longshanks Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bucks Posts: 625	Let's face it we'll pay tax for just walking under this government soon! The govt makes a huge amount from smokers, for example a packet of 20 from the Czech Republic costs £1, whereas here it's over £4.

10-02-2007, 02:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tom Wilde Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London. Posts: 2,924	I don't smoke and I always prefer to eat/drink in a smoke-free environment. And smoking really does kill people. Nonetheless, I'm completely in favour of this new UKIP policy. If we are really a party that stands up for the freedom of the individual, then we should defend the right of people to poison themselves with nicotine if they want. If a pub allows smoking, then they will attract business from smokers, and simultaneously lose business from people like me. It should be up to them to make that calculation. Staff applying for jobs in a pub that allows smoking should know that they are entering a hazardous environment - but should be free to do so if, having weighed up the risks, they decide to apply for the job anyway. My only big reservation concerns staff in pubs/restaurants which are currently no-smoking but which under a UKIP-supported law decided to switch to allowing smoking. I think that would be pretty rough on the staff - either leave your job or stay on in an environment which has suddenly become hazardous. I think that they should be allowed to demand a very generous severance payment in such cases if they decide to go.

10-02-2007, 09:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Well put Tom.

10-02-2007, 09:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ted Bovis Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 112	The staffing in pubs issue is most relevant. Minimum wage workers, often students or immigrants, have little choice where they work: They take it where they can find it. Have you noticed that the only people who argue that passive smoking is not a health problem for others are smokers themselves? Ever kissed a girl who smokes? Its horrible! Smoking in a public place is about as nice as cr*pping in public. If it were not illegal, however, there are many people out there who would think nothing of doing even that. Thats why societies need laws. To protect us from ignorant selfish idiots.

10-02-2007, 09:37 PM	#19 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	I don't smoke either, Ted.

10-02-2007, 10:25 PM	#20 (permalink)
Ted Bovis Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 112	I suspect Davies smokes. To draw a parallel between banning smoking in certain public places, and the Army banning bullets, is infantile. Do you imagine that any informed or educated person would enter this debate with you? Grow up. But then this is the party that produced an article, in all seriousness, stating that wind turbines slow down the Earth's rotation.