Should cigarette smoking be discouraged in the United Kingdom?

Question:

The facts are that right now tobacco taxation does not cover the very high costs of cancer and other related treatment. So, here’s the dilemma, if smoking decreases then tax revenue will fall immediately but there are hundreds of thousands of precancerous victims already in the system and in five to ten years time a shortfall of money for treatment. The government will be unable to pay; the tobacco companies are not going to foot the bill because they know what’s going on and they’re clever enough not to lay themselves open to attack. Also there’s a nasty side effect on the pensions crisis by those who are fortunate enough to avoid a premature death causing a further drain on the system

How is this problem solved?

Answers:
If the tax isnt covering it, then raise the tax. You wont stop people smoking especially when you are so close to other countries. Take a look at the illicit drugs situation and the Prohabition Period in the US. Banning an addictive substance wont do much to stop it.

I think it should be discouraged everywhere but that's just me..

Smoking should be discouraged "everywhere." It is unhealthy and causes many many deaths.

i think it should be discouraged everywhere

yes.and should be permanently banned also

Yes, indeed. It will kill you there as well.

yes i think it should be discouaged as i have lost family through cancer

are you saying that people should keep smoking to support those people who are ill now or will be in 5 years time? what about when the people being encouraged to smoke today become ill?

Honestly, cigarette smoking should be banned, not only in the UK, but everywhere else there is civilization, because if you view it from my perspective, it is murder! A single human's second hand smoke is enough to trigger cancerous cells in up to 26 non smokers!

if you old enough to make stupid decisions, you should be left alone.
there are more fat people than smokers..may as well blame them for the pension crisis..and medical issues. lets see, it causes heart problems, hypertension, diabetis, stroke.. may as well ban drinking to while your at it.
what you do in your own home, is nobodys business.
stay out of palces that allow smoking/drinking/eating.IMHO

Should cigarette smoking be discouraged in the United Kingdom?

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