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| *Ostroff, Fair and Company>>>United Kingdom Taxes |
What are the financial implications of large numbers of people quitting smoking? |
Here in the UK, our nanny state government has decreed that smoking will be banned in all public places. If this leads to mass quitting, there is going to be a black hole in the treasury coffers, as well over 拢4 from a 拢5 packet of cigarettes goes to the government. Based on 15 million smokers smoking an average of 20, thats 拢60million a day. Are there any forecasts as to how much this might cost the UK taxpayer, and where the missing revenue will be recouped from? One of many theories about the reasons behind such a move is that due to the increased taxation of cigarettes, many UK smokers have been turning to illegally imported cigarettes, which have actually reduced the amount of money the government recieve from the increased taxation on tobacco, and that by banning smoking in public houses, the availability of imported cigarettes and tobacco will be reduced; as much of the trade in these goods is done within pubs (but this is just a theory). The alternate revenue that the government will recieve is already in effect, if you look at the statistics you will find that taxation on purchased goods, petrol and especially coucil tax have increased a staggering amount, while the weekly earning and benifits have remained the same. It is doubtless that once the effects of lessened tobacco sales have reached the treasury, the poll tax will be extremely high, petrol will be as expensive as gold and alcohol and spirits will be taxed through the roof. I personally decided to quit a couple of weeks ago, just before this decision came in - but I still disagree completely with the governments infringement on civil liberties. Smoking is legal - cigarettes are legal, therefore it should not be a governmental decision on which public houses should and should not allow smoking. These matters should be left to the discretion of the pub landlord or the brewery. If a landlord chose to allow smoking in his bar, non-smokers would be free to seek out alternative pubs and clubs that would cater to non-smokers. That's what freedom of choice is all about. Source(s): Just an opinion. Very well put & 100% of vote inc. my own. This is what I hear from almost everyone I speak with. Why do they lie to us & tell us the ban is what everybody wants? I think Tony Blair & Co are now so accustomed to lying to the electorate that even if tax was abolished, they'd still lie about it! People won't stop smoking. We have had similar things happen in the US and people will not stop smoking. They will simply complain about the prices and then buy the same amount as they always have. Nor will people stop smoking in public places. The amount of smokers will decrease at those establishments and maybe smokers will start dining, drinking, etc at private clubs/resturants/places in order to continue their habit. So I would say that not too many changes will arise. No because people will spend their money other places. Also the govt shells out huge amounts of money in healthcare for smokers. It will be a net save for the govt thats why they are doing it. The overall cost of healthcare will drop because smoking causes so many illnesses and other health issues. |
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