
Originally Posted by
Wyoming
Actually, even if cigarettes were not taxed at all, the government makes money from them. The NHS saves money from smokers, they usually have shorter life expectancies and don't receive the REALLY expensive treatments like joint replacements and cardio vascular surgery.
Treatment for smoking related diesease is more expensive for a given time period, but as smokers die more quickly on aggregate...
Personally I don't agree with indirect taxes on anything and I think smoking should be banned only on government property. Pubs, shops, restaurants et cetera should retain the option to allow smoking and it should never be made illegal in one's own household.
I don't smoke, I hate it. But don't tell people what to do with their lives. Don't assume you're superior to someone else and can make their decisions for them.