RE: UK Ban 2040...7 Oct 2023 03:23
Firstly thank you all for your discussion and experiences. It is not my intention to inflame or berate people. I feel strongly that we need a better plan, even if it does appear a bit idealistic.
I recently came across a map of what are described as blue zones which are pockets of communities scattered across the world, not all particularly wealthy, where people live much longer, fitter and healthier lives without the need for the support of a massive health service. I can hear some already saying they would rather die of debauchery and lung or liver failure having lived a short and actioned packed ‘life is for living so live it ‘ kind of life. The reality is rather different as anon3 has so ably attested. My own family was almost destroyed by alcohol . I dont hold it against my dad at all particularly now I have a better understanding of what they went through in the war before PTD was recognised or admitted. I found a letter from him to his sister who died recently posted from an unidentified region in France. He wasnt even supposed to say he was in France apparently, Strangely he was literally revolted by the idea of smoking which was before the idea of its link with lung cancer.
I have no idea how accurate the figure are of revenue v health care. Whatever they are they are truly horrific and shameful. 70 years down the road from giving people the freedom of what they can do to their bodies ( and other peoples) I think it is one of the governments better plans to not ban current adults from smoking, but put in measures to try and protect the next generation. So what to we do? We let vaping slip in almost undetected with its addictive nicotine and noxious substances. Anyone care estimate the cost of care and medical research into this latest abhorrence as an excuse for giving up smoking? Tooth rot. Mouth rot, and lung rot the same as before. But people must have their freedom to decide at all cost, how ever much is spent on promotion and influence. Another product that can be produced cheaply for the masses and make fortunes for the few harmfully. Its just not logical. The mass food and drink industry is as guilty as you correctly identified LwHl. There most definitely is a better way and I am optimistic that we are finding it. We dont half make it more difficult than it need be for ourselves sometimes