Booze as bad as Smoking

They didn't though, because the cost of making tabs / drink does not take into account the cost to society ( other than that part of it borne by the producer ), so the market WAY underprices them. That's the point of tax (in theory), to correct this inefficiency.

Privatise the NHS? God, is nothing sacred? I don't think we really want to be introducing ability to pay into the equation for who gets healthcare. Us lefties don't anyway. *cough*traitor*cough*

Still on for a week today, Brid?

Harry

EDIT- this does not mean I want to ban cigarettes or alcohol, quite the opposite in fact. Tax the rich and the enterprises to pay for it.

i never mentioned passive smoking - i was very careful in that.

Never implied you did, my point was that smoking has a cost associated with it that is not measured in your figures, whereas alcohol doesn't.

Note that I support (partly) your view here - I don't beleive anyone should pay more for healthcare just due to their choice of instant gratification. No fair way to charge according to risk levels, and even if there were, I would oppose it on the grounds that everyone should have equal access to healthcare free at the point of delivery.

Harry

i suppose it could be argued that they both have many indirect costs i.e. be it the extra policing costs for drunks in town centres seems to be a hot issue at the moment.

If the goverment is sticking with it's "free healthcare for all" policy - it can't chop and change it where it wants, espcially when it gets a bit expensive.

dunno how i got onto this point.

nearly home time i think....

Re: Booze as bad as Smoking

Re: Booze as bad as Smoking

I wont read the rest of the thread yet.

But, we all know booze is bad for you.

THE POINT IS, good sir, that me drinking a few pints doesnt harm everybody else in the near vacinity, whereas your filthy smoke does

I REST MY CASE.

What the hell kind of an economist doesn't use models? A fortune teller? Without getting into a dick size contest, my uni produced 5 of the 8 people who are most influential with regards this country's economic policy levers ( the MPC), and there isn't a single economist in attendance who doesn't beleive in models.

Yes, your example is right - an old man in a house does not incur social costs (significantly). However, the industry as a whole does. Look at the free market price of a pack of cigarettes, and compare it with the total cost of production and consumption (that is, the cost of the raw materials, plus profit, plus costs that the company does not have to pay for and are thus effectively stealing, as it cannot be directly traced back to them), and the cost is WAY above the price. Clearly, this makes no sense, and is equivalent to selling coal at 1 pound a ton when it costs 5 a ton to dig up, because 4.50 a ton of those costs can be passed off on to randoms, so the company can still make a profit.

Not sure how technical to get here, but it is not nebulous as a concept - it is quite logical and intelligable. If you are interested, I will put my side of it to you next fri, and you can pick whatever holes you may out of it.

Harry

5 of the most evil people to grace this country no doubt?

One of our mates can do that too - she uses a funnel, canm write her name in the snow and everything

Re: Booze as bad as Smoking

Good job I don't drink much then innit:angel: :angel2:

That's total bollocks. I know of someone who died in their late 30s from smoking since they were a teenager. I wish all of my mates who smoke day in day out wouldn't, I'd be fucking gutted if they became ill from it.

Having said that I love a tab when I'm drinking.

What can ya say to that not a lot really respect