Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
Compared to the 100,000 who die each year from smoking-related diseases, it's hardly in the same ball-park, is it.
If tobacco was discovered today there's no doubt it would go straight on the banned drugs list along with cannabis. Allowing the product to exist, while denying its manufacturers any possibility of marketing it, seems perfectly fair to me.
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Would alcohol?
http://www.channel4.com/news/alcohol...o-graphic-quiz
'But it's a different story when it comes to hospital admissions: there are a staggering 137 alcohol-related admissions every single hour, compared to 61 for smoking, according to government figures.'
'Smoking has a huge cost to the NHS - an estimated £5.2bn - but boozed-up Britons put a massive dent in the overall economy because of the additional £11bn burden on the criminal justice system. All too often, drinking results in violence, either at home or out on the streets.
'The cost works out at a staggering £1.43m every hour, and according to the report, is enough to keep more than 260,000 police officers on the streets, or 278,000 nurses working in A&E.'
I'm a smoker, and per my previous statements in this thread I know the risks I take and whats likely to happen to me.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the plain packaging or tax on cigarettes.
What i take exception to that something that costs more to the country per hour £2.4m vs £1.7m is seen as morally acceptable and doesn't require the same taxation or regulation as the tobacco industry.