'£10 licence to smoke' proposed

[RamboLiberal]

Source: BBC News

Smokers could be forced to pay £10 for a permit to buy tobacco if a government health advisory body gets its way.

No one would be able to buy cigarettes without the permit, under the idea proposed by Health England.

Its chairman, Professor Julian Le Grand, told BBC Radio 5 Live the scheme would make a big difference to the number of people giving up smoking.

But smokers' rights group Forest described the idea as "outrageous", given how much tax smokers already pay.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7247470.stm

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Wow - UK sure becoming the nanny state!

[Warren Stupidity]

1. From an econmic standpoint non-smokers ought to

be required to buy a license to not smoke as they cost far more in services than smokers, the majority of whom have opted for the early exit program.

[edbermac]

2. Hate smoking but this is bullshit.

Next they'll propose permits for fat people to eat at McDonald's.

[Mr Creosote]

6. As long as

they don't propose permits for fat blokes to drink beer I'm in the clear

[onehandle]

3. Just add the£10 to each pack of smokes.

Hopefully our new President will let tax increases on cigarettes pass here too.

[KatyaR]

4. Wow, that's harsh.

I hate smoking as much as anybody (and I'm allergic to boot), but that's just ridiculous.

[fedsron2us]

5. You will need a permit to wipe your a**se soon.

[moggie]

7. It's just a suggestion from an advisory body

Chances of the government trying it: about zero, I'd have thought.

[Nihil]

9. Shhhh!

No common sense allowed in smoking threads!
:hide:

[digidigido]

8. Interesting Idea

It would make sense to do in the U.S. too. It would discourage young people
from smoking, and certainly make it more difficult for them to. It would give
the insurance companies leverage in enforcing rates for smokers and non smokers
it might help to equalize the cost to society of smokers