what could we tax next

[securespark]

I'll tell you what can be charged for, or taxed as appropriate.

How much money is the NHS losing daily treating self-inflicted injury or disease, or injuries caused by drink or drug drivers?

Every person treated by the NHS for injury or disease that can be directly linked to or aggravated by something that has been self-inflicted should pay (either directly or indirectly) for that treatment.

eg:

The cost of treatment for a drunk brought into A&E by the police.

The cost of treating bronchitis or cancer in a smoker.

The cost of treating ailments linked to poor diet and obesity: "fat taxes" on junk food which is high in salt, sugar & fat and low in fibre.

The above three examples to be paid for by taxes on the product.

The treatment of a DD victim: this would be paid for by the DD and collected by the court along with fines and other costs.

 

[joe-90]

I guess that would include speeding drivers too eh?

Wasn't it you that said that other drivers 'flashed' you when you overtook?

You won't be covered then will you?

 

[megawatt]

Whilst I understand the sentiment SS this could be a dangerous road to go down ...

What about the costs for:

Breast reduction/enlargement
IVF and associated infertility issues
Homeopathy and other alternative therapies
etc etc.

Should we treat you for liver failure in your fifties if you've drunk alcohol (socially) all your life but wouldn't be considered an alcoholic?

Or heart disease, vascular problems etc?

The bottom line at the moment is that we have free healthcare to all funded from taxes and NI contributions and drunks pay their taxes as do smokers (quite a lot of taxes actually)

What you propose would probably cost more in beaurocracy to manage than it would save

MW

 

[securespark]

I guess that would include speeding drivers too eh?

Wasn't it you that said that other drivers 'flashed' you when you overtook?

You won't be covered then will you?

To answer your questions:

Yes, if that excess speed was a cause of an RTA which injured someone.

Yes, it was me. But I never said I exceeded the speed limit when overtaking.

Yes, I will, under my proposed scheme.

MW: the three examples you quote would not be included in my scheme as they are not self-inflicted injury or disease. Breast augmentation or reduction if carried out on the NHS is usually done for more than purely cosmetic reasons. There is almost always psychological reasons for such treatment.

As for liver failure, look at George Best.

Yes, I take your point about the NHS being funded from taxes levied against certain products, but that is not enough. Especially as we move into a new era where obesity is going to be the biggest killer by far.

In any case, isn't that the wrong mindset: "I've paid my taxes on fags now they can f'in well cure me of cancer..."?

 

[megawatt]

I still think that what you propose would probably cost more in beaurocracy to manage than it would save.

MW

 

[tim west]

I still think that what you propose would probably cost more in bureaucracy to manage than it would save.

MW

maybe by tax levels it could be managed? Your tax code would go up or down accordingly.

 

[megawatt]

The beaurocracy involved in managing tax codes is greater than that in the NHS

MW

 

[tim west]

The beaurocracy involved in managing tax codes is greater than that in the NHS

MW

I'm sure the taxman wouldnt do it if it cost them more to claim tax back through the coding system, they do it individually all the time so i'm sure it wouldnt be too much bother to have a computerised system linked to say the courts or other body, dont you think so?

 

[Rob]

Where's the proof that this government is corrupt? if it was so they would have been forced to resign or is that just your opinion?.

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news-views/2008/05/27/brits-waste-£93-billion-unnecessary-tax

Corrupt? Or just extremely incompetant?

Every person treated by the NHS for injury or disease that can be directly linked to or aggravated by something that has been self-inflicted should pay (either directly or indirectly) for that treatment.

Wow.

 

[Rob]

The cost of treatment for a drunk brought into A&E by the police.

The cost of treating bronchitis or cancer in a smoker.

The cost of treating ailments linked to poor diet and obesity: "fat taxes" on junk food which is high in salt, sugar & fat and low in fibre.

The above three examples to be paid for by taxes on the product.

Cigarettes and alcohol raise around £20BILLION in tax per year.

Would you say to some one who has smoked for 40 years paid god knows how much tax on their cigarrettes that they now need to pay for their treatment if they get cancer. Get real.

 

[joe-90]

It is real. The breadwinner usually leaves a wife and children that the taxpayer has to house and feed. One in nine hospital beds are taken as a direct result of smoking. Smoking kills around 120,000 in the UK every year. How many sick days do that lot take off over the year? how many lost working days?

Do a Google if your really want to know the facts.

Bet you're a smoker. Bet it kills you.

 

[securespark]

CAFM!!

Don't tell me I've hit on something that joe agrees with me about!

Miracle!!!

rob: Yes I would!!

Taxes on alcohol & baccy may raise 20 billion pa.

How much do you think smoking and alcohol costs the NHS pa?

Think of all the treatments for drunkenness, alcohol-fuelled fights etc...

Think also of all the "minor" treatments given to people who smoke to improve their breathing.

 

[Rob]

Bet you're a smoker. Bet it kills you.

Well that's two bets you've just lost. Pay up.

They also die alot earlier, 10 years on average maybe? Maybe try and work out how much pension we save from them.

120,000 x £100 a week over a year equals what Joe?

 

[Rob]

Taxes on alcohol & baccy may raise 20 billion pa.

How much do you think smoking and alcohol costs the NHS pa?

Less than £4b.

 

[WickedWizard]

If they legalised Cannabis they could tax that!
It's no more harmful than Alcohol or Cigarette's.
Would put a lot of dealers out of business & create a lot of revenue.