Doctors seek an increase of 2Euro on Cigarettes!!!

jaffa20 · 22-09-2008 9:04am #1

From the irish independant:

"The pre-Budget submission from the IMO also called for a tax hike of up to €2 on a packet of 20 cigarettes in the Budget."

This will drive inflation through the roof!!!

Full article here:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/budget-2009/news/doctors-demand-budget-tax-hikes-on-alcohol-and-cigarettes-1472802.html

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-09-2008 9:13am

Just think of it as an investment in your future health care.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 22-09-2008 9:18am

Firstly it's onlt a pre-budget submission - much the same as they do every year and as is done by numerous groups in the country.

Secondly, it may not be a bad idea! (And yes I do smoke myself)

The Bollox · 22-09-2008 9:18am

get the ****ing boat tbh!

this increase will only make matter worse, not better

Run_to_da_hills · 22-09-2008 9:19am

Another excuse to give them up.

Ste.phen · 22-09-2008 9:19am

The real solution here is to take them out of the CPI

sidneykidney · 22-09-2008 9:19am

Us smokers pay enough taxes as it is,why should we pay more.

/waits for the usual shower to remind me that its going to pay for the health service i will be availaing of when i am dying of cancer.

But if my extra 2euro was going directly to the health service i wouldnt mind as much. Instead it will go on some review group that will be set up to see where the cash goes,and they will be paid a mint to do this the fcukers.

Dragan · 22-09-2008 9:36am

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Another excuse to give them up.

It's repeatedly shown to not have the desired affect.

They need to go a different route of else just admit it's revenue from smokes and beer that keep us afloat.

Cookie_Monster · 22-09-2008 9:44am

Igy wrote: »

The real solution here is to take them out of the CPI

+1

This definitly needs to be done.

Heisenberg. · 22-09-2008 9:46am

This post has been deleted.

mikemac · 22-09-2008 9:50am

All this will do to drive the demand in black market cigarettes.

They showed this on Primetime a few months back.
People are coming from Riga with thousands of cigarettes and claim they are for “personal use”, lol
There are Eastern Europeans shops on Talbot St, Dublin where they got a reporter to buy these. Of course Irish people do the same also, dare I say the IRA used to do this

Customs are no fools and they seize the cigarettes at the airport and ports. but they can’t stop everyone.

There will come a time when the price set by the government is so high, they’ll end up getting less tax revenue but no difference in people smoking as a trip abroad to buy thousands of cigarettes will pay for itself. A fairly good chance you won't be caught.
People aren’t being prosecuted for this and people seem to accept it and getting one over the taxman!

enda1 · 22-09-2008 9:50am

It will just lead to an increase in black market cigarettes.

I'd prefer to see a banning of smoking outside personal property, that might change a thing or two.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-09-2008 10:01am

Igy wrote: »

The real solution here is to take them out of the CPI

I'm no expert, but I don't think you can smoke thim in the CPI...?

Roadend · 22-09-2008 10:05am

micmclo wrote: »

Customs are no fools and they seize the cigarettes at the airport and ports. but they can’t stop everyone.

They were showing them on that customs programme on RTE last night. Watching them destroying the hundreds of thousands of cigarettes they had siezed was tear jerking:(

Ste.phen · 22-09-2008 10:18am

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

I'm no expert, but I don't think you can smoke thim in the CPI...?

CPI - Consumer Price Index, it's a price index of various goods that is used to determine the inflation rate.
If the price of anything on the lsit goes up, so does the official inflation rate.
If ciggies weren't on it, they could be 50 quid a pack without affecting inflation

SV · 22-09-2008 10:31am

Didn't know about that CPI...

take it off that so, and charge 25 euro for every pack

Sherifu · 22-09-2008 10:33am

Just start charging a major organ for each pack.

Turd Ferguson · 22-09-2008 10:49am

Why cant they just let us smokers die in peace?

Washout · 22-09-2008 10:50am

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

Why cant they just let us smokers die in peace?

they can but at smokers expense only.

LouOB · 22-09-2008 10:51am

I think its a brill idea, I wonder why it hasnt been done before?
Oh I know... its because common sense it not very common in politics, and would in turn benefit the poplus of Ireland

Wibbs · 22-09-2008 11:16am

:rolleyes: Usual muppetry from the usual suspects. Yes it'll make a few give up, but less face it if adding a few quid is what it'll take to make you give up in the face of all the other reasons then I would say that makes you a bit sad tbh. It'll defo increase black market trade. Naturally. I also would have no problem if the revenue was used in a good way, but successive Irish governments have shown that organising píss ups is breweries is beyond them.

PS I used to smoke. Loved it in fact. Gave up a few weeks ago. Won't smoke again either. But unlike so many sad smug bastid ex smokers I would never begrudge somebody else getting whatever they get from having a ciggie.

Turd Ferguson · 22-09-2008 11:29am

+9000!!!!

Wazdakka · 22-09-2008 11:34am

This crap really gets on my tits..

First of all who the bloody hell are these doctors to "demand" an increase on any tax?
Let alone Alcohol and cigarettes..

What is the idea here? Get everybody in the country to quit smoking?
I guarantee you that the Irish government does not want that. The ammount of cash they'd loose would be daft.

Have they not figured it out yet?
You can charge whatever you want for them, ppl will either pay it or import them illigally.
You can make the warning on the pack even bigger, people will choose to ignore it.
You can put pictures of diseased lungs on the pack, people will buy cigarette cases.
You can stop people smoking indoors, the entire vibe of going out in dublin changes and now we have a massive beergarden culture. I actually have friends who have started smoking since the ban just to be outside with everybody else.

It's a drug, People are addicted. They know the risks and choose to smoke anyway. It's not illegal, the smoking ban has made removed the second hand smoke damage to other people argument.

Leave smokers alone, bugger off with the 2 Euro, and let them choose to risk the cancer themselves instead of trying to bloody babysit them...

/Rant.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-09-2008 11:35am

Igy wrote: »

CPI - Consumer Price Index, it's a price index of various goods that is used to determine the inflation rate.
If the price of anything on the lsit goes up, so does the official inflation rate.
If ciggies weren't on it, they could be 50 quid a pack without affecting inflation

Seeing as you are unfamilar with sarcasm, we will close the cash register at this point....

marknoonan1974 · 22-09-2008 11:37am

I was told by a mate working in a hospital that next year all hospitals are putting in a programme to make all the staff quit, patients also. Its going to be free. Free gum + patches etc, has anybody else heard anything about this?

Wagon · 22-09-2008 11:38am

I wouldn't mind this increase ( it would definately mean id smoke less and i roll my own anyway so its not much of a problem) if the money went towards improving our own health service. But it won't and it'll get spent on something absolutely useless, just like everything else. Jesus lads, I'm moving

marknoonan1974 · 22-09-2008 12:04pm

i bet they are going to put drink up also!!! Its def time to move if they do.

Maximilian · 22-09-2008 12:06pm

I'm a smoker and I wish they would just ban them altogether. Might force me to quit.

Wagon · 22-09-2008 12:18pm

Maximilian wrote: »

I'm a smoker and I wish they would just ban them altogether. Might force me to quit.

It could work for you, but as people have said before the black market will be there for people who don't want to quit. Or there's those who don't like being told what's best for them. Bad idea really. Why not post your picture around to all the shops in dublin with a message saying "do not serve this man smokes"? I'm a genius.

Wazdakka · 22-09-2008 12:22pm

Maximilian wrote: »

I'm a smoker and I wish they would just ban them altogether. Might force me to quit.

Wagon wrote: »

Why not post your picture around to all the shops in dublin with a message saying "do not serve this man smokes"?

Or, You know...
Willpower

ArmaniJeanss · 22-09-2008 12:45pm

Igy wrote: »

The real solution here is to take them out of the CPI

No, this should never be allowed to happen. The CPI is meant to be representative of what the average person actually buys, and the average person does indeed buy a certain amount of cigarettes.

If you start taking out products because they are unhealthy (cigarettes now, next sweets, next processed foods?) then you start down a process whereby the CPI figure eventually becomes meaningless.

AJ (Ex Smoker).

Maximilian · 22-09-2008 12:51pm

Wazdakka wrote: »

Or, You know...
Willpower

Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you the next Alan Carr.

/puts on Wizard's robe & hat.

Dammit, why did I put all my points in Charisma and Intelligence

/removes wizards robe & hat

Honey-ec · 22-09-2008 1:03pm

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

No, this should never be allowed to happen. The CPI is meant to be representative of what the average person actually buys, and the average person does indeed buy a certain amount of cigarettes.

Not this average person.

tallaght01 · 22-09-2008 1:16pm

There's a good reason why docs are asking for increased taxes on cigarettes.

It works

Why else do people think docs would want to increase taxes??

Every study I've ever read on the subject has shown smoking rates decreasing with increased taxation.

I makes current smokers quit, and stops kids taking it up.

In fact, there was a paper from the centre for disease control in the states, which showed a 4% reduction in smoking with every 10% increase in taxation.

That figure may not hold true today. I don't know. But the principle certainly does.

DublinWriter · 22-09-2008 1:29pm

tallaght01 wrote: »

Every study I've ever read on the subject has shown smoking rates decreasing with increased taxation.

..because they are taking the raw data from legit cigarette sales, rather than actual consumption.

There is a price tipping-point that when reached makes the smuggling of tobacco becomes a very lucrative criminal activity, especially in poorer areas. I've spent a bit of time in the North East of England and you'd be hard pressed to find any smoker there buying their 'tabs' from a newsagent, etc.

Just remember, we smokers are the thin red-line holding society back from persecuting the porkies and those who spend unhealthy amounts of time on the Interweb. You've been warned!

bobcar61 · 22-09-2008 1:32pm

No please don't.

For students like me the price is already high enough and they have just gone up by 10cent.Why call for a €2 hike in price,thats crazy.

I say bring back the 10 box,so much handier for when you are finacially strapped for cash.

Nerin · 22-09-2008 1:37pm

Add this to the list of reasons i don't like doctors.

SEPT 23 1989 · 22-09-2008 1:47pm

tabacco products should be prescription only and banned from general sale

anyone who is an addict gets them from the chemist(like methadone) untill the give up or die

i am a smoker

tallaght01 · 22-09-2008 1:47pm

DublinWriter wrote: »

..because they are taking the raw data from legit cigarette sales, rather than actual consumption.

Not true

Wazdakka · 22-09-2008 1:51pm

tallaght01 wrote: »

Not true

Then are they guessing?
or routing through all the bins?

cause how else are they can they tell how many illigal cigs are floating around?
I'm sure customs officials may want to hire a few of these boys if theyre managing it..

thelordofcheese · 22-09-2008 1:52pm

Nerin wrote: »

Add this to the list of reasons i don't like doctors.

yeah, it's really hard to like people who've dedicated their lives to fighting disease.

Nerin · 22-09-2008 1:53pm

thelordofcheese wrote: »

yeah, it's really hard to like people who've dedicated their lives to fighting disease.

pretty much

tallaght01 · 22-09-2008 1:57pm

Wazdakka wrote: »

Then are they guessing?
or routing through all the bins?

cause how else are they can they tell how many illigal cigs are floating around?
I'm sure customs officials may want to hire a few of these boys if theyre managing it..

anonymous questionnaire studies. Just asking people how many they smoke a day. Not where they get them.

LOL no-one follows thousands of people round all day watching them buying their smokes :P

Prof.Badass · 22-09-2008 2:08pm

They also want to put extra tax on spirits. why?

They're doctors. surely they know that highly purified spirits (such as vodka) are far healthier than beer, wine, cider ect. They should have lower tax if anything. People adjust their drinking accordingly, i don't really think people drink more when they're on vodka mixed down, as opposed to beer.

anyway back to cigarettes, Seems we're getting worse every day. I already have a friend who gets all his cigarettes illegally from eastern europe, i've a feeling if this goes ahead i'll suddenly have a lot more!

Delirium · 22-09-2008 2:26pm

Why are doctors selling cigarettes?

:D

Don't they know they're bad for your health.

Turd Ferguson · 22-09-2008 2:29pm

vinylmesh wrote: »

They also want to put extra tax on spirits. why?

Cos they are scaring all the children

Fionnanc · 22-09-2008 2:34pm

"This crap really gets on my tits..

First of all who the bloody hell are these doctors to "demand" an increase on any tax?
Let alone Alcohol and cigarettes..

What is the idea here? Get everybody in the country to quit smoking?
I guarantee you that the Irish government does not want that. The ammount of cash they'd loose would be daft.

Have they not figured it out yet?
You can charge whatever you want for them, ppl will either pay it or import them illigally.
You can make the warning on the pack even bigger, people will choose to ignore it.
You can put pictures of diseased lungs on the pack, people will buy cigarette cases.
You can stop people smoking indoors, the entire vibe of going out in dublin changes and now we have a massive beergarden culture. I actually have friends who have started smoking since the ban just to be outside with everybody else.

It's a drug, People are addicted. They know the risks and choose to smoke anyway. It's not illegal, the smoking ban has made removed the second hand smoke damage to other people argument.

Leave smokers alone, bugger off with the 2 Euro, and let them choose to risk the cancer themselves instead of trying to bloody babysit them..."

Here Here. Give people the information not advocate a price increase. BTW IMO is my trade union and disappointed that they waste their time with these submissions

Dragan · 22-09-2008 2:41pm

tallaght01 wrote: »

anonymous questionnaire studies. Just asking people how many they smoke a day. Not where they get them.

Ah come on Tallaght! You are way to smart to fall into that trap. Anonymous questionaire studies are the cheap whores of the statistical world.

JC 2K3 · 22-09-2008 3:04pm

I don't understand why doctors should have any input into taxes.....

Turd Ferguson · 22-09-2008 3:06pm

Dragan wrote: »

Ah come on Tallaght! You are way to smart to fall into that trap. Anonymous questionaire studies are the cheap whores of the statistical world.

Over 97% of these surveys are completely made up numbers

Wazdakka · 22-09-2008 3:29pm

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

Over 97% of these surveys are completely made up numbers

As proved by Anonymous questionaire analysis..

Doctors seek an increase of 2Euro on Cigarettes!!!

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