Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42081019

NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP) at the University of Edinburgh have put forward the ideas as part of a new national tobacco strategy.


Now that the drink industry has finally accepted the minimum alcohol pricing (albeit after 5 yrs of protestation) here's hoping the Scottish Government will now move onto the next big killer.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Dementia?

Coronary heart disease due to an excessive poor diet?

Oh, you mean the ones that they can tax and profit from.... before considering a Deep Fried Mars Bar Tax?

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

:clap:

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There are no really cheap brands, compared with the alcohol situation, eg cheap cider. It is the retailers/suppliers who profit from any minimum pricing. The manufacturers can up their prices and make more profit and that profit won't even be made in the UK, as there doesn't seem to be any cigarette factories in the UK.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

The UK already has a Minimum Excise Tax, an amount equal to the higher of the following alternatives, either £217.23 per 1,000 cigarettes plus 16.5% of retail price or £280.15 per 1,000 cigarettes (Duty rate from 6pm 22 November 2017).

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...cco-duty-rates

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Possibly because "hardened smokers" don't buy from shops any more due to the price. This benefits organised crime in China, Russia etc.

Price goes up, less duty raised no decrease in the number of smokers. Good strategy by ASH and the anti smoking lobbying.

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Well worth a read...

https://fullfact.org/economy/does-sm...akes-treasury/

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I notice fullfact.org makes no mention of the loss to the Treasury of (illegal) sales of imported tobacco.

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A bit surprised tobacco pouches haven't increased more over the years. I know they did away with the small pouches but it's still only ~£20 for 50g of Golden Virginia, when i used to smoke that was a good 1-2 weeks worth at 20-30 per day. That's not a prohibitive cost in the slightest.

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Good to see my thread has sparked a dialogue.

It certainly makes sense to look at dementia and obesity as these conditions are on the rise. However by focussing on one issue at a time scarce resources can be used to best effect.

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I read somewhere of the increasing costs to the NHS by sporting injuries and illnesses. During my time in the RAF sporting injuries of many types began to be classed as "self-inflicted" meaning you could be put on charge and fined if you suffered one.

Should the NHS start charging for dealing with sports injuries?

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It's got my vote especially those idiot cyclists (queue Kursk!).

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

When was that?

I was in 74-80, and was a member of the station Athletics and Volleyball teams, and know lots of friends in the Rugby, Hockey, Judo, and Football teams, and none of us were ever charged when we got injured playing sports.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

I've just had a word with a friend who was on the RAF boxing team, he's never heard of it either. He's said those involved in sports were given extra privileges not fined for being injured.

---------- Post added at 15:02 ---------- Previous post was at 14:58 ----------

Mind you in boxing how can it be judged as self inflicted when any injury is caused by the other person?

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Mid to late 80's . Parascending was the first target, then other "extreme" sports including mountain biking, motocross, etc. "Mainline" sports such as rugby, football, tennis, etc., were not included at that time, but players were warned that being unfit for duty as a result of sport could cause them problems.

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In other words sports not supported and classed as "extra curricular". therefore "At your own risk".

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True, most smokers that I know now use the black market because of the cost. ISTR reading somewhere that about 50% of smokers now do this.

My opinion on smoking is that, as long as adults are fully aware of the health risks and other people aren't affected, they have a right to do so.

I argued against a unilateral smoking ban in pubs. Smoking rooms with a warning on the door or smoking & smoke free pubs at the discretion of the licence holder would have been a better idea.

Also, I believe that other taxpayers shouldn't bear the cost of others smoking and they don't. Only about 20% of taxation on tabacco is needed to compensate the NHS, the rest is pure profit for the treasury.

If everyone stopped smoking tomorrow, the Government would face a financial hole in its finances and could mean an increase in income tax for the rest of us.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

BLOODY HELL Richard! I never thought this day would ever come. I actually agree with you 100%!

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

I doubt very much that "50% of smokers" use the black market. Maybe in an anecdotal bubble.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

More like a few per cent l would say now.

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Perhaps but it is a sizeable percentage, then again anecdotally I travel far and wide throughout the country and the black market exists and is thriving. As the government increase prices so does the black market.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

June 2017 Link


Apparently counterfeit and contraband consumption was 16% just 2 years ago.

IMO licensing of sales of alcohol and tobacco should be linked. Transgress on one and you lose the license to sell the other.

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I'm not sure how you travelling "far and wide" backs it up.

Of course more and more people will look to other means as prices rise but saying things like 50% of the country use the black market for fags is nonsense.

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My wife and I don't smoke shop bought cigs anymore, but if we did we would definitely be looking at the cheaper black market stuff.

We now both roll our own, and although it took some getting used to it's much cheaper than anything else out there.

And I'd estimate that 50% of smokers buying from the black market is a pretty close ball park figure. Trying to force a stop on something like this simply drives it underground.

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As a smoker myself I think I have a little more knowledge about black market tobacco products than a non-smoker.

Also worthy of note, I never mentioned Fags or 50%.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

A little more knowledge than who? I myself was a smoker for 20+ years until a couple of years ago, does that also give me some magical insight into the buying habits of a 66 million population country?

No but you quoted my answer to someone that did.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Well I do for starters, I have a friend who travels to Europe most weeks in a large lorry. :)

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Wow!

Tax evasion... ;)

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Likewise and if away in another part of the country I can always find a source.

As I'm not a nonsmoker what do I know.

As a smoker I do know that the black market tobacco is readily available anywhere I go.

Ex smokers quite often come across worse than born again Christians! They know everything!

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Well you are alright with me then ;) as l had one try behind the bike shed at school and praise the lord that was quite enough for me thank you.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

border-less EU free trade ;)

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Cue. :dunce:

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we've all done things behind the bike sheds that we won't be trying again :naughty:

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

any hoo what fags what baccy ;)

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And what about the smoking? :D

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It seems even those who don't like cycling are happy to ride the school bike ;)

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You misunderstood me as l said by the bike shed but not on a bike.;)

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Indeed :)

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It was not for me so sadly drinking was the next one on my list to try.:Yikes::eeek::D

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Yep her name was Raleigh

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I'm still pretty sure that I did read that about 50% of smokers use the black market, but do agree that this seems very high.

I can't remember the full details (or find anything online), maybe it referred to 50% of smokers ever buying contraband tobacco (but buying legitimate supplies too). It might have only have referring to poor inner city areas??

I'm surprised that drug dealers deal in drugs, they say that the return is higher for cigarettes and the punishments if caught are less severe.

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I hope you had insurance and were wearing hi-viz underpants? :p:

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No just Elastane, Spandex :)
:)

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I think you look great...

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2017/11/14.jpg

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Is that from your personal collection :)

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

Loads of people where I work are giving up most through vaping.

1 decided to just stop and go full cold turkey.

Another guy stopped because he caught legionnaires disease, and nearly died, and so after spending about 4 months in hospital sevreal in ICU he no longer as the graving nor inclination to start up again.

Re: Minimum Tobacco Pricing
 

that's the easiest way I've done it 87 times ;)

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This may be the thread that needs deleting to fix the "Alcohol and Tobacco" Sophos categorization

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Everyone i know that smokes is using illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco only on the odd occasion they run out will they buy from a shop or as is more likely whenever the lorry is delayed and they run out. I'm glad i switched to vaping nowhere near as much hassle as tobacco was and the health benefits have also been great. A large proportion of former smokers are now vaping cost being the biggest reason for the change i know I'm a lot better off now.