Is obesity and smoking actually a drain on the taxpayer?

Question

We have been often told that one of the great economic burdens of our time is people living longer, costing both in terms of health costs and pensions. Action being taken is the raising of the retirement age and less generous pension terms.

On the other hand we are told that obesity and smoking are a big burden on the health service. It seems to be forgotten that these health issues actually save society money due to people dying earlier.

I am not saying that obesity and smoking are not important public health issues but does the UK establishment have to practise duplicity in the presentation of cost figures?

OK a.j. if little Susie didn't get fed junk food and went on to spend years 65 to 75 receiving a pension and the years 75 to 85 requiring extensive and very expensive care for Alzheimers, as many people do, how much would that cost?

Fine STEPHEN F if you are prepared to live in a society where people walk by someone dying in a pool of blood in the street.

Answer 1

I agree - but they also make a packet in taxes from smokers!

Answer 2

Not nearly as much as War and Corruption.

It is true however that severely impaired dieing 40 yr old people are more expensive then healthy 40 yr old people, but after they are dead folks costs of health care goes down dramatically, while those formerly healthy start to cost a bit more.

If they included all the dead people in their statistics, the costs of care would improve considerably. Of course the price alone is a stupid way to think of anything, as is proved by the American experience where the least expensive is usually the most costly in all kinds of ways.

Unfortunately having people who do not believe that Government should be helping actual people make their lives better, actually in charge of doing so, is sort of like setting the alligators in charge of draining the swamp.

While the situation is worlds better than in the US, the Conservative Corporate streak in the UK and Canada has a serious negative effect on the quality of life when compared to much of Western Europe.

Edit: you apparently have not been to America. Many like Stephen would not care in the least about any people they don't personally know, and perhaps most that they do.

Answer 3

in case your purpose right this is to quantify the charges of those behaviors and use that as a diploma of a situation, then the charges measured could be greater pervasive than basically the NHS value. Smoking and ingesting have important non-NHS expenses - injuries, fires, influence on others, social problems, and so on., which might severely tension up their expenses. weight problems quite might have particular wellbeing expenses yet no longer likely different value aspects inclusive of ingesting and smoking. This from an obese 620 guy who's healthful, happy and does not smoke or drink.

Answer 4

There are a lot of things that are a burden on the NHS but smoking fat Tax payers are entitled to free health care if they need it, they have paid into the system so if they're ill then they have a right to free care.
But, a bigger waste could be the cosmetic surgery that is being given free on the NHS to anyone who is unhappy with their shape....
Also other 'unnecessary procedures that are being offered free on the NHS although they are not life threatening.
But the biggest waste of tax payers money in the NHS is the over-payed pen pushers who spend the money on stupid ideas, such as a large marble near the entrance door.
Get rid of the the pen pushers and run the NHS as it should be run, by doctors, matrons and nurses.

Answer 5

The UK government gets some £9 billion in revenue from all tobacco products,,although the NHS spends just £1:5 billion each year to treat all smoking related illnesses,,this is half the £3 billion the NHS has to spend on all eating disorders,,,

Answer 6

Yes obesity costs taxpayers more -- look at children, for example. In the US more and more children are overweight, and with that comes all sorts of diseases (diabetes is a big problem in Texas where loads of people are fat). If little Susie gets diabetes when she's 8 yrs old because her mom and dad feed her McDonald's instead of fresh, healthy foods, then how much is she going to cost in health care by the time she dies at age 55 (which is very young)? It's not obesity in and of itself but all the heart problems that are associated with it -- ditto for smoking. And the fact is, obesity is more prevalent in poor communities -- people who tend to use the emergency room instead of yearly check-ups because they can't afford a regular doctor.

Answer 7

Interesting fact....smoking costs the NHS approx £1.6 billion a year. Smoking provides £7 million in tax a year.

Answer 8

Fair Point! And car pollution and junk food have a similar effect to smoking.

Answer 9

You're right. It's all in how you skew the figures so that they prove their point.
Another point; it really bugs me that we're hearing so much about how terrible smoking is. Smoking is not politically correct and ppl that smoke are 'bad, outlaws, stupid, ect.
Ha! No one mentions drinking. That's just fine. The PC ppl havn't started in on drinking yet. Probably because they drink.
Sorry. I know that wasn't all on your subject question.
Smoking is bad for your health. But drinking is just as bad, it's just not 'on the list' right now. We are so easily led!

Answer 10

The ONLY way the taxpayer is burdened by MY health or lack thereof is if MY health care is funded though taxes. I should pay for my own health care. In that case, MY health has ZERO impact on taxpayers.