Just watched 'Smugglers' on ITV

Splog

Splog

Suspended / Banned
Messages
6,257
Name
Steve
Edit My Images
No
If 50% of rolling tobacco used is smuggled into the UK..... Then why not simply reduce the existing duty to make UK sales competitive with the rest of Europe and get the missing 50% tax/duty back into the economy? :thinking:

Sounds simple to me :D
 
Because the high rate of duty in this country is (in theory) meant to be a deterrent to people smoking in the first place. Which it obviously isn't....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Because the high rate of duty in this country is (in theory) meant to be a deterrent to people smoking in the first place. Which it obviously isn't....
Click to expand...

Very true.... but then again what would happen to the economy if everyone stopped smoking and drinking? ;)
 
The state are fond of demonising smoking and excessive drinking - in their role as the self appointed guardians of their employers lifestyles - but I suspect the Treasury would have a collective heart attack if everyone just stopped. Other taxes would be increased to compensate for the loss of income.
 
The problem is that the bill on the NHS for all the smoking related illnesses would cripple it if the revenue from the sale of tobacco was not there to fund it. So the idea is to gradually cut the number of smokers, to bring down the health cost as the tax income from sales falls.

As with alcohol, well, despite the health and social issues surrounding it, and the costs to all the public services, the government don't seem to want to target anything other than Binge drinking in public. It would appear that if your drinking at home, they aren't too bothered.
 
lawrie29 said:
The problem is that the bill on the NHS for all the smoking related illnesses would cripple it if the revenue from the sale of tobacco was not there to fund it. So the idea is to gradually cut the number of smokers, to bring down the health cost as the tax income from sales falls.
.
Click to expand...

I've often heard it said that smokers contribute more in taxes than they take out, anyone any figures. Surely non filtered hand rolled are worse for your health than tax paid filtered ready made, so if tax was altered to encourade smokers to buy legit ciggies it would be better for all.?
 
Splog said:
Very true.... but then again what would happen to the economy if everyone stopped smoking and drinking? ;)
Click to expand...

We'd all be dead, really rather quickly.
 
It would be rather interesting to the economy if all the smokers stopped smoking, all the drinkers stopped drinking and all the drivers stopped driving........

Who the hell would they persecute then?:shrug:

Sorry - all the fat B******s like me

edit............. oh forgot, already happening.
 
Last edited:
What I have never understood is why there is a limit to what you can bring into the UK from other EC countries, after all it is supposed to be a free trade area.
 
munch said:
What I have never understood is why there is a limit to what you can bring into the UK from other EC countries, after all it is supposed to be a free trade area.
Click to expand...

But we all have differing tax systems.
 
boyfalldown said:
onomatopoeia said:
We'd all be dead, really rather quickly.
Click to expand...

you'll have to explain that one :thinking:
Click to expand...

Try not drinking any liquid for 96 hours and see how you feel afterwards! :D

(That includes IV's before someone points that hole in the argument out! :p )

munch said:
What I have never understood is why there is a limit to what you can bring into the UK from other EC countries, after all it is supposed to be a free trade area.
Click to expand...

There isn't a limit per-se, but a recommended personal allowance. You can freely bring in a few thousand cigarettes from an EC country provided that you can prove that they are for personal consumption only.
 
DemiLion said:
Try not drinking any liquid for 96 hours and see how you feel afterwards! :D
Click to expand...

Correct :thumbs:

Splog said "drinking", not "drinking alcohol". The difference is significant.
 
Splog said:
Very true.... but then again what would happen to the economy if everyone stopped smoking and drinking? ;)
Click to expand...

I'mm going to take up smoking. Just heard 20% of people die as a result of smoking, that means 80% die as a direct cause of NOT smoking. You have to play the odds sometimes:lol::lol::lol:
 
I watched and enjoyed the program, regularly feeling outrage at the bits like the guy with a company car that eventually was returned and the gits on the cruise that walked away with a caution. If a law is passed and someone is caught well over the limit there should be confiscation and a punishment.

What is the point?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top