UK to delay operations for smokers

arbilad · Head Chef

UK to delay operations for smokers

TitusTodd · Senior Member

I'm having a hard time feeling sorry for the smokers. I state that even though I have an aunt I love dearly who just won't quit smoking. Luckily, she'll probably be okay because by the time we go to universal healthcare (I hope not but...) and the cost pressures force the government to cut costs by rationing healthcare, she'll be long gone.

arbilad · Head Chef

I personally believe that, with Heavenly Father's help, just about everyone can quit smoking. They should quit smoking. But the problem is that socialized healthcare gives the government inordinate power over your lifestyle choices. I used the example of them going after fat people next, but here's another one: what if the people responsible for deciding such things are vegetarian and decide to make you wait longer for medical care if you're a meat eater? If you don't complain when they pick on one group, precedent is established and it's harder to complain when they pick on your group.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Next is the people that eat fast food, then the people who eat meat. While I think that anyone who smokes in this day and age is an idiot, there are many people who think my carnivore habit is just as bad if not worse than smoking.

TitusTodd · Senior Member

I agree, arbilad. We have to worry about what's next. Most would not want government making our lifestyle choices for us yet many of those most vote for people who are trying to do just that.

Organist · Senior Member

The correlations and risks between smoking and many diseases are quite clear. Many cancers, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bleeding problems, infections, and delays in healing times are all much higher in smokers.

Obesity is linked to many diseases, but 60%-80% of one's weight is genetically determined. Smoking is 100% choice (at first). While that 20%-40% of lifestyle is very important, it is not the 100% like smoking.

Casual use of fast food and meat are not correlated to disese. Laws discriminating against their use would not be based in science. In addition, to know how much meat or fast food someone eats is way too much privacy invasion, and since right to privacy is now an essential component of our constitution (one reason for Roe vs Wade), the government would not be able to get that information.

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

Organist wrote:

Obesity is linked to many diseases, but 60%-80% of one's weight is genetically determined.

You know, there are not a lot of folks outside the medical profession that will still admit to that fact. They may acknowledge there is a pre-disposition for it, but for diet and gym industries, it is all about one eating too much and/or not exercising enough.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Here in Nazifornia they've looked at passing laws to put sin taxes on fast food and other limitations. There have been calls to even put quotas on meat consumption. It may be wacky but there are those in the medical and scientific community who are vegetarians who will produce "science" to show that any meat consumption results in bad health. Get enough willing folks who make the rules and you are there. I wonder what would happen if they said those who drink alcohol get moved down the list. Are recreational drug users also moved down the list? I bet there would be an outcry if either drugs or alcohol were added to the list but smokers are an easier target.

Convert · Veteran Member

After smokers the list will be extended to those that drink, those that have heart problems, those with high blood pressure, those with diabetes, those who are over weight, those who are gay or lesbian, those taking pharmaceutical drugs for any disease, those who eat meat, those over 40, those, those, those. That leaves only healthy people and they don't need health care. You get sick for whatever the reason and you're as good as dead. Isn't universal health care wonderful. Its a legal way to deny medical treatment.

Go alternative.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Sorry Convert, Gays and Lesbians will never be excluded. It's not PC.