UK Timeline PANORAMA - Smoking and the Bandits

Gary L · 07-03-2011, 19:38

Quote:

Panorama investigates the multi-billion pound world of the criminal tobacco trade. Reporter Sam Poling reveals that more than half of all hand-rolled tobacco in the country is now either counterfeit or smuggled, and one in five cigarettes smoked is fake.
Using secret filming, the film exposes the gangs which are costing British tax-payers four billion pounds in lost revenue each year.

ON BBC 1 now.

Please don't save money and buy cheap tobacco. pay extortionate prices for it instead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zftc4

Cobbydaler · 07-03-2011, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

ON BBC 1 now.

Please don't save money and buy cheap tobacco. pay realistic prices for it instead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zftc4

I've fixed that for you...

Having had two work colleagues die from lung cancer in the last 12 months after lengthy hospital treatment, the revenue from tobacco taxation probably nowhere near compensates for the health costs...

gazzae · 07-03-2011, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

I've fixed that for you...

Having had two work colleagues die from lung cancer in the last 12 months after lengthy hospital treatment, the revenue from tobacco taxation probably nowhere near compensates for the health costs...

According to this smoking related disease costs the NHS 5bn
http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/...costs-NHS-5bn/

According to this the tax revenue from Tobacco is 10bn
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-public...-from-tobacco/

Cobbydaler · 07-03-2011, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzae

According to this smoking related disease costs the NHS 5bn
http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/...costs-NHS-5bn/

According to this the tax revenue from Tobacco is 10bn
http://www.the-tma.org.uk/tma-public...-from-tobacco/

Well, the TMA are totally impartial aren't they:

Quote:

The Tobacco Manufacturers Association (TMA) is the trade association for tobacco companies that operate in the United Kingdom. Our members are British American Tobacco UK Ltd, Gallaher Ltd (a member of the JTI Group of companies) and Imperial Tobacco Ltd.

Gary L · 07-03-2011, 20:32

The thing with this is. people will really believe that if all tobacco was bought legally. the government would lower the taxes somewhere.

but they wouldn't. it would never happen.

**Hugh** · 07-03-2011, 20:34

From your first link, gazzae

Quote:

Although the overall costs are likely to be underestimated, as it does not include indirect costs (e.g. lost productivity, disease caused by passive smoking), the researchers note that the study is based on data collected before the ban on smoking in public places came into force.

**Chris** · 07-03-2011, 20:49

Is that the investigation done in and around Glasgow? If so, it was broadcast in Scotland weeks ago.

It was very revealing though.

danielf · 07-03-2011, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

I've fixed that for you...

Having had two work colleagues die from lung cancer in the last 12 months after lengthy hospital treatment, the revenue from tobacco taxation probably nowhere near compensates for the health costs...

A fair comparison would also factor in the costs of not smoking. The costs of illnesses associated with old age are quite considerable as well...