PeteMorris   10 #1 Posted August 19, 2015 According to Public Health England, they have now concluded (based on evidence so far) that smoking E-cigarettes is 95% less harmful than smoking 'proper' cigarettes!  They even go so far as to say, they should be prescribed on prescription as an aid to quitting. Although, I do think that's probably very unlikely, and I wouldn't agree with that anyway.  I just wonder...If everyone who currently smokes, turned to e-cigs where the government would turn for the loss in duty and tax revenue generated by smokers...  Yeah, I know....They'd save more in not having to treat smokers for medical conditions on the NHS.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33978603 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Cyclone   10 #2 Posted August 19, 2015 Are e-cigs not taxed? If there was a wholesale shift towards them, then I expect that putting a tax on the liquid wouldn't take the government long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
PeteMorris   10 #3 Posted August 19, 2015 Are e-cigs not taxed? If there was a wholesale shift towards them, then I expect that putting a tax on the liquid wouldn't take the government long.  Of course they're taxed...But not with tobacco 'duty'...Oh yeah...let's fuel the trade in 'dodgy' liquid...Much easier to make, ship and smuggle than dodgy proper cigarettes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Cyclone   10 #4 Posted August 19, 2015 I didn't say it was smart, it's just the likely response if they find tax revenue falling from tobacco.  At least it's healthier though, I'd totally support it being prescribed if the cost of the prescription is less than the cost of treating all the smoking related illness. Simple cost benefit analysis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
PeteMorris   10 #5 Posted August 19, 2015 I didn't say it was smart, it's just the likely response if they find tax revenue falling from tobacco. At least it's healthier though, I'd totally support it being prescribed if the cost of the prescription is less than the cost of treating all the smoking related illness. Simple cost benefit analysis.  Which is one reason I don't think it will happen...At least not the prescription based model. Not least because of prescription charges. I think it's £7+ these days. The liquid is far cheaper than that. And of course, smoking, however and whenever someone begins, is a choice. Ok, in my day maybe the tobacco companies knew of the health implications, but 'we' certainly didn't. But whichever way you look at it, it's a choice.  Oh and I don't actually believe that the taxation and duty is entirely swallowed by the treatment of smoking related illness. It's not even ringfenced for that purpose, which I believe it should be...It's just a means of extracting more and more money from Joe Public. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
geared   317 #6 Posted August 19, 2015 Of course they're taxed...But not with tobacco 'duty'...Oh yeah...let's fuel the trade in 'dodgy' liquid...Much easier to make, ship and smuggle than dodgy proper cigarettes.  I think it's quite easy to make the liquid stuff at home.  I have a few friends who make their own, just to get the taste exactly how they like it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Cyclone   10 #7 Posted August 19, 2015 Which is one reason I don't think it will happen...At least not the prescription based model. Not least because of prescription charges. I think it's £7+ these days. The liquid is far cheaper than that. And of course, smoking, however and whenever someone begins, is a choice. Ok, in my day maybe the tobacco companies knew of the health implications, but 'we' certainly didn't. But whichever way you look at it, it's a choice. Oh and I don't actually believe that the taxation and duty is entirely swallowed by the treatment of smoking related illness. It's not even ringfenced for that purpose, which I believe it should be...It's just a means of extracting more and more money from Joe Public.  It's not ring fenced, but the treatment of smoking related illness costs about the same as the amount the tax brings in.  Smoking initially is a choice. After you're addicted, not so much. People can currently be prescribed nicotine patches and/or gum, so why not nicotine inhalers? To make it worthwhile paying the £7 prescription charge it would have to be a prescription to last a month maybe...  ---------- Post added 19-08-2015 at 10:34 ----------  I think it's quite easy to make the liquid stuff at home. I have a few friends who make their own, just to get the taste exactly how they like it.  Where does the liquid nicotine come from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
PeteMorris   10 #8 Posted August 19, 2015 It's not ring fenced, but the treatment of smoking related illness costs about the same as the amount the tax brings in. Smoking initially is a choice. After you're addicted, not so much. People can currently be prescribed nicotine patches and/or gum, so why not nicotine inhalers? To make it worthwhile paying the £7 prescription charge it would have to be a prescription to last a month maybe...  ---------- Post added 19-08-2015 at 10:34 ----------   Where does the liquid nicotine come from?  The amount of tax and duty the treasury makes from tobacco sales, as opposed to what it spends on 'smoking related' illnesses is not clear cut. There are huge (arguable) grey areas.  Especially, as smokers tend to die earlier, therefore saving the government in social care, benefits and pensions.  https://fullfact.org/factchecks/does_smoking_cost_as_much_as_it_makes_for_the_treasury-29288 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Alcoblog   10 #9 Posted August 19, 2015 The amount of tax and duty the treasury makes from tobacco sales, as opposed to what it spends on 'smoking related' illnesses is not clear cut. There are huge (arguable) grey areas. Especially, as smokers tend to die earlier, therefore saving the government in social care, benefits and pensions.  https://fullfact.org/factchecks/does_smoking_cost_as_much_as_it_makes_for_the_treasury-29288  I'm quite happy with the system as it is without the government sticking it's greedy little fingers in. I save around three grand a year having swapped to vaping, most of that money (around 75%) was in tax. I now spend around £120. Why on earth they're now talking about licensing and prescription e-cigs is totally beyond me, without being totally sceptical. Why on earth would e-cigs be made available on the NHS to aid people in giving up smoking ... if you want to stop smoking the health reasons and savings speak for themselves. You don't need to waste a doctor's time (which I understand, is in short supply). Just go out and buy e-cigs ... if you can afford normal ones, you certainly can't complain about the cost of the electronic alternatives.  I reckon the government is getting a bit worried about loss of taxation revenue (due to fibbing about the cost of treating smoking related illnesses)... if the vape liquid is licensed and made available on prescription, you can bet they'll hike the prices up massively to make up their losses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
PeteMorris   10 #10 Posted August 19, 2015 I'm quite happy with the system as it is without the government sticking it's greedy little fingers in. I save around three grand a year having swapped to vaping, most of that money (around 75%) was in tax. I now spend around £120. Why on earth they're now talking about licensing and prescription e-cigs is totally beyond me, without being totally sceptical. Why on earth would e-cigs be made available on the NHS to aid people in giving up smoking ... if you want to stop smoking the health reasons and savings speak for themselves. You don't need to waste a doctor's time (which I understand, is in short supply). Just go out and buy e-cigs ... if you can afford normal ones, you certainly can't complain about the cost of the electronic alternatives.  I reckon the government is getting a bit worried about loss of taxation revenue (due to fibbing about the cost of treating smoking related illnesses)... if the vape liquid is licensed and made available on prescription, you can bet they'll hike the prices up massively to make up their losses.  I agree entirely...One can't help being deeply suspicious about the motives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
TJC1 Â Â 10 #11 Posted August 19, 2015 E cigs are cheating. for people who are too weak to quit and too stupid to stop spending money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
PeteMorris   10 #12 Posted August 19, 2015 E cigs are cheating. for people who are too weak to quit and too stupid to stop spending money.  You point being?.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...