Did you know that you pay approximately $600 for smoking related healthcare?

Question

Still think you aren't already paying for someone else's care? That is the average tax burden for each household from medcaid/medicare for illnesses caused by smoking alone.

Seems to me a simple way to make healthcare more affordable is to simply ban tobacco

Probably a lot for obesity too. That and smoking are the two most common causes of preventable death/illness.

Answer 1

That is not a good thing. We also pay a lot for obesity and drug and alcohol-related health issues. People need to take responsibility for their health and should be encouraged to eat healthy and give up bad habits.

Answer 2

Did you know that you have allowed the state to turn you into a drug pusher? That's because it's an easy source of tax money. You'd be paying at least that much extra anyway if smokers weren't picking up the cost of federal and state programs. I remember seeing it over 30 years ago in my state: "Health care for poor children--only seven cents a pack!" That was a Democratic administration, by the way.

If you really want to see a change, you first have to stop being so damned self righteous. If the programs sound good, YOU pay for them, not sell addictive drugs to fund them. Let's do a quick estimate--if 15% of 300 million people pay $1 a day in taxes, it adds up to sixteen and one-half billion dollars a year. I'm betting that you'd scream like hell if you saw that added to your income tax. But it should be. Let's pass a constitutional amendment if you're serious about this. "No level of government--local, state or federal--shall use tax monies raised by the sale of any addictive substance for any purpose other than the treatment of that addiction." The warning label on cigarettes could change to, "Tobacco is highly addictive, to quit call 1-800-XXX-XXXX" and all costs would be covered by the taxes the smokers paid. Alcohol, too. "If you can't stop drinking, call 1-800-XXX-XXXX." Again, all costs would be covered by the taxes collected. I remember seeing on the register tape, price includes 6% tax for education. Uh-huh. That's right, sell booze to educate kids.

I don't believe your figure but whatever it is, it is most assuredly more than counterbalanced by taxes extorted by selling a highly addictive drug.

Answer 3

Figures.

The rest of the country has to suffer for someone else's personal and, in most cases, pathetic problem(s).

Answer 4

if you think very hard I'm sure your doing something that is costing us in something else like not paying your bills or burning up the ozone layer there is something out there I'm sure so .

Answer 5

Really? I didnt know that. How much is it for obesity?

Answer 6

your point being?