If we all gave up smoking...?

Question

How would the Government raise the £6.5 billion shortfall in revenue?

This relates to the UK.
The Government earns approx. £8 billion in revenue from tobacco & spends approx. £1.5 treating smoking related illness, hence my figure of a £6.5 billion shortfall in revenue.

Answer 1

They would tax something else.

But hey, no one would get ill or die any more so we wouldn't need the NHS anymore.....would we. Because smoking causes everything from cancer to AIDS, didn't you know!

If everyone gave up smoking, they would have to find something else to blame diseases on, then tax that, you know, like sex or something!!!!

I'm an ex-smoker, I have seen the light, but vehemently believe in the right of choice! Something this 'nanny state' seems to have forgotten!

The answer to your question is that they would 'demonise' something else and tax that!!!

Answer 2

There would be a much bigger shortfall than that. Think of all the unemployment, when all cig factories are closing down. What about the printers, packaging manufacturers etc.
They could always put the tax on sweeties and fatty foods, and keep people healthier, the hospitals are filled with over weighed unhealthy people. It is costing us taxpayers a fortune.

Answer 3

Remember Gorgon Browns first budget..
One of the first things he did was raise tax on a packet of twenty cigarettes by 25 pence to go directly to the NHS to cover smoking related illness's.
Now 10 years later....they still taking the 25 pence and telling us we will not get the treatment we are and have been paying for.

Btw...everyone give up smoking tomorrow...just keep in mind thats a hell of a lot of 25 pences ol' Gorgon aint gonna get.
And I am sure the NHS WILL miss this income.

Answer 4

Not sure. Probably the SAME way they'd have to figure out another way of raising revenue if the estimated 10 million gay and lesbian couples were able to get married and file their taxes as "married filing jointly" instead of "single". That would be an estimated $15 billion in lost revenue due to lost income credits!

Answer 5

I gave up smoking in January and so far I reckon that I've saved about five hundred quid.So I am better off actually both financially and physically.Even if the government were to tax me on the money that I have saved I would still be better off.Those are the facts,like it or not.

Answer 6

What stokies said!!!;o]......I think she's my soul mate in a non-physical type of way!!!!!lol

Smokers are enforced to feel a certain amount of guilt for their habit....why??? As long as smokers are NOT doin' the dirty weed while not harming anyone....what's the problem?

The amount of teachers, doctors and professionals I see, outside succumbing to there addiction goes to show that we are not that much of a minority!

The Government will get the money one way or another...TAX TAX on anything!

Looking at all the revenue the congestion charge has accumulated.....where the fook has that money gone????!

X

Answer 7

In the UK, they'd close down the entire NHS. There will be significantly more pesioners, being looked after by family members. So there will be one incapable old person removing one capable younger person from paying tax. Both these people will have to be supported, by the state! Everybody stopping smoking will, ironically, be very bad for everybody's health; unless of course you can afford private medical care, which a great deal of people can't.

So, keep on smoking those joints (or cigarettes)

Answer 8

I assume we are talking about the current government in the UK, ie Tony Bliars Labour party. Doubtless, they would shift the tax burden onto the poorest earners by lowering the tax threshold, or possibly make them pay more for prescription charges, something low along those lines.

Answer 9

By reducing the amount of cash the NHS is currently spending on smoke related illness. What, you thought smokers don't use taxes?

Answer 10

It would save all that tax on all the people it didnt have to treat with serious illnesses due to smoking...heart diese ise ..stroke ..high blood pressure..emphsiema just to name a few , not to mention all the people exposed to second hand smoke, all the asthma rates wsould diminish, childhood sicknesses, that live in smokers households , and on and on. Yeah I think the Govt would save a big chunk of change on healthcare, that it save over and above that it makes on smokers...plus increased productivity in the workplace, yeah, giving up smoking would benifit everyone all around, health, work, financially,I cant think of one downside to giving up smoking, everything is a plus here.