Health and a fairer tax sytem

[Ray Scully]

A result of the success of the Governments smoking campaign, which will be further enhanced by the proposed packaging rules, there has been a marked decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked. One will soon see life expectancy levels shooting up as a result.
Good news but it comes at a great cost, particularly to those who have never smoked. Cigarette tax revenue is expected to be half that of 2009 levels by 2018. The cost of people living longer, but then requiring expensive facility consuming care is expected to shoot up. Some projections suggest that this could mean a basic income tax level of 30%. However, the burden could be reduced if other products injurious to health carried a realistic tax penalty i.e strong alcohol, carbonated drinks containing high levels of sugar. processed foods high in sugar and fat.

Ray

[barney]

For some weird reason Ray, western governments seem obsessed with longevity of life, and work on the assumption that everyone wants to live forever.

For those lucky enough to have continued good health, it's a blessing, but many more have a long , miserable existance, just trying to make ends meet and get through each day.

My advice is to live life and enjoy it.
You never know what's around the corner.

I genuinely feel sorry for the younger generation because they will be picking up an enormous tab, left from us.

Live fast, die young

[Ray Scully]

For some weird reason Ray, western governments seem obsessed with longevity of life, and work on the assumption that everyone wants to live forever.

For those lucky enough to have continued good health, it's a blessing, but many more have a long , miserable existance, just trying to make ends meet and get through each day.

My advice is to live life and enjoy it.
You never know what's around the corner.

I genuinely feel sorry for the younger generation because they will be picking up an enormous tab, left from us.

Live fast, die young

barney

So true, an abiding fear I have would be that I suffer from Altzeimers like my dear father. You would not prolong the life of an animal in his situation. One should have the ability to 'call time'

Ray

[Dark Knight]

just wait for all the sanctimonious non smokers to weep and wail about their taxes going up and their lifestyle becoming more expensive

should have left the smokers alone and stopped bullying and victimising them, coz they gave the country a huge amount of money. which the government spent with aplomb

[Kendhni]

The nett benefit of tobacco taxation has been reducing significantly over the last couple of decades. The future costs will however remain even if everybody were to give up.

However talks of 30% taxation is scaremongering - simply because there is no way that future generations will accept liability for the previous generations accrued debts. So expect to see lower pensions, pension/saving grabs, reduced benefits, fewer services, more paid for services etc. etc. The other one to look out for is more 'care in the community' were the next generation will be expected to look after the previous generation ... so don't cut your kids out of your wills just yet, you may need your butt wiped in another few years.

[howard18]

just wait for all the sanctimonious non smokers to weep and wail about their taxes going up and their lifestyle becoming more expensive

should have left the smokers alone and stopped bullying and victimising them, coz they gave the country a huge amount of money. which the government spent with aplomb

Right on D.K.!