Smoking at Hospitals

[Wile E Coyote]

it may well be disgusting, but it is a highly dangerous and addictive product that the government were useless in dealing with.
Once the majority smoked, it was advertised widely and the tax for the exchequer was phenomenal.
Small wonder people still smoke, but the pathetic nanny state has decided it is time to isolate the smokers and shut down their areas.
Shops are still brimming with packets of them though, but the jogging , actimel brigade wont accept diversity.

[BennyD]

When visiting the Christie during my son’s cancer treatment there was usually at least one smoker outside the main entrance. On one visit, there was even a woman on a drip who was sat having a ciggy.

[Wile E Coyote]

When visiting the Christie during my son’s cancer treatment there was usually at least one smoker outside the main entrance. On one visit, there was even a woman on a drip who was sat having a ciggy.

what? and you really don't know why.

[RammyClaret61]

I just don’t understand the attraction of smoking. The chance of it killing you is above average. It’s adictive, it’s expensive, it makes you stink. Please don’t say you only do it socially. The fact most smokers can’t even last an hour at football without one. Also do smokers think no one will notice if they smoke in a toilet cubical? No, they just don’t care.

[clarethomer]

I love a victim mentality.

Blaming advertising and trying to bizarrely make others grateful for your contribution to society via the tax you pay is pretty much a stock response.

Take responsibility and don't be so selfish on others.

If you want to quit - get help - there has never been more support for quitting.

if you don't want to quit, then don't! Please just don't kick off when people complain about having to breathe in 2nd hand smoke at places like hospitals because you are more bothered about getting your fix than considering others around you and the impact you have on them - however temporary.

When smoking in places where other people can smell your fumes... just know that everyone around you is thinking "selfish prick".

[fatboy47]

I didn't realise people still smoked.

Can't be more than a few thousand can there?.

It's more or less an underclass thing now I'm told. Can they not carry bells and shout "unclean!" As they approach?

[Wile E Coyote]

I didn't realise people still smoked.

Can't be more than a few thousand can there?.

It's more or less an underclass thing now I'm told. Can they not carry bells and shout "unclean!" As they approach?

roughly ten million UK smokers, or "The underclass" as you so arrogantly refer to them.

[PutTheWheelieBinsOut]

I would sooner have 10 smokers outside the entrance of a hospital than one person inside absolutely stinking out a full department wreaking of weed, absolutely disgusting.

[2 Bee Holed]

10 million smokers? So at £5 tax per packet, that's £50 million per day in tax.
X 365 = £18.25 billion per year.

But that can't be right, smokers are costing the NHS millions (so I have been told on this thread).
Then when you consider we die young and hardly ever claim our State Pension,
so say 8 million die young. £150 per week pension x 52 weeks that's another £62.4 billion per year saved.

Smokers virtually fund the NHS on their own!
We should be encouraged to smoke and even given heated exterior luxurious shelters at hospitals.
Complete with comfy seats and there is even an argument for free fags!

[Wile E Coyote]

10 million smokers? So at £5 tax per packet, that's £50 million per day in tax.
X 365 = £18.25 billion per year.

But that can't be right, smokers are costing the NHS millions (so I have been told on this thread).
Then when you consider we die young and hardly ever claim our State Pension,
so say 8 million die young. £150 per week pension x 52 weeks that's another £62.4 billion per year saved.

Smokers virtually fund the NHS on their own!
We should be encouraged to smoke and even given heated exterior luxurious shelters at hospitals.
Complete with comfy seats and there is even an argument for free fags!

I know you are being somewhat flippant to make a good point, but there is more than an element of truth in what you suggest.
Poor lifestyle choices don't just mean ciggy's, but its as if non smokers are occasionally ill by accident, they would never dream of clogging up the NHS beds, just their arteries with decades of boozing and eating till they're fit to burst , and then expecting gastric bands fitting and months of additional after care. But they have never so much as touched a solitary cigarette in their lives.

[Foshiznik]

Just refuse to treat cancer patients who smoke

I had Leukemia in 2016 and was a smoker at the time of my diagnosis. Should I not have been treated, even though the smoking was not linked?

Yeah, you didn't really think it through, did you..?

[Foshiznik]

I didn't realise people still smoked.

Can't be more than a few thousand can there?.

It's more or less an underclass thing now I'm told. Can they not carry bells and shout "unclean!" As they approach?

Have you never been outside before?

[No Ney Never]

At the moment most of you drive vehicles with an exhaust, pretty much like smoking was once deemed acceptable. Now society at large appear happy to condem anyone who smokes, not be long before you who drive atmosphere polluting vehicles will become the scourge of society. You'll be banned from driving your nasty motors anywhere near any sort of population and people will give you the same look of contempt that you give smokers today.
In the same way you believe there's no need to smoke, I believe that the majority of you don't need cars with an exhaust, but you do and feel it's acceptable.
I smoke, I enjoy it. One year I made it a new year's resolution to quit for 12 months going cold turkey, it was no problem. On the stroke of midnight the following year I lit up again, vowing that I will not deny myself a pleasure simply because other people don't approve.
I drive a zero emissions electric car, I enjoy riding my bicycle. No one seems bothered that they fill my atmosphere with their pollutants which is why I laugh at you lot on here, trying to portray yourselves as the do Gooders of society when you do more harm to the environment than I do smoking 10 ciggies a day.
When I was at school we were taught a story in the Bible about a society that was about to stone a woman to death, Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone. He began writing in the sand, things that people holding the stones had done in their lives. They all dropped the stones and went home. Maybe some of you on here should drop yours.

[HatfieldClaret]

From my office window (a London hospital) I can see 4 or 5 people at the back door, used for non emergency patient transport etc) having a smoke.

The other say a patient was complaining about there being a fruit stall outside the front entrance. Nowt as strange as folk !!

[Wile E Coyote]

At the moment most of you drive vehicles with an exhaust, pretty much like smoking was once deemed acceptable. Now society at large appear happy to condem anyone who smokes, not be long before you who drive atmosphere polluting vehicles will become the scourge of society. You'll be banned from driving your nasty motors anywhere near any sort of population and people will give you the same look of contempt that you give smokers today.
In the same way you believe there's no need to smoke, I believe that the majority of you don't need cars with an exhaust, but you do and feel it's acceptable.
I smoke, I enjoy it. One year I made it a new year's resolution to quit for 12 months going cold turkey, it was no problem. On the stroke of midnight the following year I lit up again, vowing that I will not deny myself a pleasure simply because other people don't approve.
I drive a zero emissions electric car, I enjoy riding my bicycle. No one seems bothered that they fill my atmosphere with their pollutants which is why I laugh at you lot on here, trying to portray yourselves as the do Gooders of society when you do more harm to the environment than I do smoking 10 ciggies a day.
When I was at school we were taught a story in the Bible about a society that was about to stone a woman to death, Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone. He began writing in the sand, things that people holding the stones had done in their lives. They all dropped the stones and went home. Maybe some of you on here should drop yours.

the world has far too many lycra clad cyclists, and holier than thou jogging types. They love their occasional glass of white wine and latte's with croissants. Wa****s every single of of em.

[kentonclaret]

Jakubclaret

The clamping of vehicles on private land was outlawed in England and Wales by a change in the law in 2012. If you clamp a vehicle parked on private property you can now be arrested and charged.

[2 Bee Holed]

Fruit stalls, people collecting money for charity and foodbanks, volunteers to show you which way to your appointment, ambulances and their crews.
NOBODY should be in an entrance way to a hospital, people in mobility scooters, wheelchairs and especially those with crutches, they all slow you down, flog the lot of them.

Those drinking beer at the entrance to the bogs in the CFS!
Flog 'em all, I say.

[2 Bee Holed]

phaah, Fruit stall? They should be selling fags and raising money for the NHS.

[No Ney Never]

the world has far too many lycra clad cyclists, and holier than thou jogging types. They love their occasional glass of white wine and latte's with croissants. Wa****s every single of of em.

Fancy that! A world full of happy people enjoying themselves, must be a bit of a sickener to someone like you.
You will improve your mental health if you concentrate on finding things you enjoy rather than expressing 'envy' at others.

[Belial]

At the moment most of you drive vehicles with an exhaust, pretty much like smoking was once deemed acceptable. Now society at large appear happy to condem anyone who smokes, not be long before you who drive atmosphere polluting vehicles will become the scourge of society. You'll be banned from driving your nasty motors anywhere near any sort of population and people will give you the same look of contempt that you give smokers today.
In the same way you believe there's no need to smoke, I believe that the majority of you don't need cars with an exhaust, but you do and feel it's acceptable.
I smoke, I enjoy it. One year I made it a new year's resolution to quit for 12 months going cold turkey, it was no problem. On the stroke of midnight the following year I lit up again, vowing that I will not deny myself a pleasure simply because other people don't approve.
I drive a zero emissions electric car, I enjoy riding my bicycle. No one seems bothered that they fill my atmosphere with their pollutants which is why I laugh at you lot on here, trying to portray yourselves as the do Gooders of society when you do more harm to the environment than I do smoking 10 ciggies a day.
When I was at school we were taught a story in the Bible about a society that was about to stone a woman to death, Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone. He began writing in the sand, things that people holding the stones had done in their lives. They all dropped the stones and went home. Maybe some of you on here should drop yours.

Unfortunately we won't see a big change until there is much more investment in infrastructure, and improvements in vehicle technology. It used to take 5 journeys (bus, train etc.) for me to get to work in one place I was at, which didn't make public transport feasible, and I wasn't going to cycle a 70 mile round trip a day for various reasons. More cycling would alleviate many issues, but I still don't think the UK are anywhere near the likes of Denmark for making that a reality.

While you're onto the point of additional pollutants though, you may as well have stated those with woodburners or similar appliances are now one of the main issues. Those who smoke, choose to do so, and realistically now it's been taken out of the workplace etc., it's only them that are directly affected (disregarding costs of the medical services etc).

[No Ney Never]

Unfortunately we won't see a big change until there is much more investment in infrastructure, and improvements in vehicle technology. It used to take 5 journeys (bus, train etc.) for me to get to work in one place I was at, which didn't make public transport feasible, and I wasn't going to cycle a 70 mile round trip a day for various reasons. More cycling would alleviate many issues, but I still don't think the UK are anywhere near the likes of Denmark for making that a reality.

While you're onto the point of additional pollutants though, you may as well have stated those with woodburners or similar appliances are now one of the main issues. Those who smoke, choose to do so, and realistically now it's been taken out of the workplace etc., it's only them that are directly affected (disregarding costs of the medical services etc).

Woodburners, that's a good shout. I don't suppose many people who use these have a carbon capture system at the top of their chimney.

[Jakubclaret]

Jakubclaret

The clamping of vehicles on private land was outlawed in England and Wales by a change in the law in 2012. If you clamp a vehicle parked on private property you can now be arrested and charged.

Exactly, even more reason to be cautious.

[Stan Tastic]

They were smoking next to no smoking signs at the entrance to Blackburn Hospital last time I was there. No point having these signs up if you don't enforce it.

The only good thing to come out of it is this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub81XBbvURs

[Jakubclaret]

At the moment most of you drive vehicles with an exhaust, pretty much like smoking was once deemed acceptable. Now society at large appear happy to condem anyone who smokes, not be long before you who drive atmosphere polluting vehicles will become the scourge of society. You'll be banned from driving your nasty motors anywhere near any sort of population and people will give you the same look of contempt that you give smokers today.
In the same way you believe there's no need to smoke, I believe that the majority of you don't need cars with an exhaust, but you do and feel it's acceptable.
I smoke, I enjoy it. One year I made it a new year's resolution to quit for 12 months going cold turkey, it was no problem. On the stroke of midnight the following year I lit up again, vowing that I will not deny myself a pleasure simply because other people don't approve.
I drive a zero emissions electric car, I enjoy riding my bicycle. No one seems bothered that they fill my atmosphere with their pollutants which is why I laugh at you lot on here, trying to portray yourselves as the do Gooders of society when you do more harm to the environment than I do smoking 10 ciggies a day.
When I was at school we were taught a story in the Bible about a society that was about to stone a woman to death, Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone. He began writing in the sand, things that people holding the stones had done in their lives. They all dropped the stones and went home. Maybe some of you on here should drop yours.

Both 2 evils you're right, people need to also think about the emissions they create, sometimes a push iron & shanks pony are the more environmentally friendly options, fair enough if it's a necessity but you see power hungry 4x4 ect doing short journeys it's sickening in the same way exposure to passive inhalation of tobacco is.

[Dyched]

I just don’t understand the attraction of smoking. The chance of it killing you is above average. It’s adictive, it’s expensive, it makes you stink. Please don’t say you only do it socially. The fact most smokers can’t even last an hour at football without one. Also do smokers think no one will notice if they smoke in a toilet cubical? No, they just don’t care.

Thing is its very easy to start.

I were going on nights out with mates who all smoked. So in busy clubs/pubs its easier to go with them outside rather than them trying to relocate me after they'd been for a fag. I then started to take drags which led to asking for a full one. I thought that was taking the **** because they’re expensive as you say. So I bought a pack to save for nights out. I then had one in the morning and that was that. 5 years now. I want to stop. Havent seriously tried. But I go through only 2 packs a week and wont let myself buy any more.

[Clarets4me]

I Don't smoke.. But provide an ash tray for the smokers in my house. What puzzles me is when they've gone I'm left with their fag ends why don't they put them in the rubbish on leaving? I liken it to taking a dump in their toilet and not pulling the chain ...Most smokers are very thoughtless and just a bit selfish.

I'll remember that if I'm ever invited to " Noone Towers " !! However, I'm sure you'll agree that smokers have kept Painters & Decorators in work for decades, repainting nicotine stained walls, ceilings and woodwork !! And that's the thanks we get ...

[kentonclaret]

Jakubclaret

Seem to be crossed wires.

The person responsible for clamping the vehicle can be arrested and charged not the driver.

[Clarets4me]

10 million smokers? So at £5 tax per packet, that's £50 million per day in tax.
X 365 = £18.25 billion per year.

But that can't be right, smokers are costing the NHS millions (so I have been told on this thread).
Then when you consider we die young and hardly ever claim our State Pension,
so say 8 million die young. £150 per week pension x 52 weeks that's another £62.4 billion per year saved.

Smokers virtually fund the NHS on their own!
We should be encouraged to smoke and even given heated exterior luxurious shelters at hospitals.
Complete with comfy seats and there is even an argument for free fags!

The tobacco tax usually raises between £8 - £9 billion per year.....it was £8.8bn in the tax year to April 2017, I believe ....

[tim_noone]

I'll remember that if I'm ever invited to " Noone Towers " !! However, I'm sure you'll agree that smokers have kept Painters & Decorators in work for decades, repainting nicotine stained walls, ceilings and woodwork !! And that's the thanks we get ...

I wondered where you'd got to. Your most welcome it as a designated smoking area. Please dispose of your rubbish responsibly. I don't think you read post 50 in it's entirety

[Clarets4me]

I wondered where you'd got to. Your most welcome it as a designated smoking area. Please dispose of your rubbish responsibly. I don't think you read post 50 in it's entirety

I see what you did with the " subtle " edit there ......

[mkmel]

roughly ten million UK smokers, or "The underclass" as you so arrogantly refer to them.

I don't believe that figure
That is about 1 in 6 people smoking bearing in mind the UK's 60M population is including children and babies

[Jakubclaret]

Jakubclaret

Seem to be crossed wires.

The person responsible for clamping the vehicle can be arrested and charged not the driver.

No crossed wires, I can’t see any logical reason for inducing any entrapment or provoking any angst whether on private or public land.

[DCWat]

Most of the nurses I know, smoke.

They should sack em all

[mkmel]

If all the nurses you know smoke then that is up to them as long as they don't smoke in hospital grounds

[Damo]

The problem with people smoking in doorways can be virtually eliminated by dropping your insistence on people not smoking anywhere on hospital grounds, by creating areas for people to smoke in.
Do people still go for a cig in the toilets at turf moor since they let them out for a half time fag?
It's almost as though people just want to have something to complain about

[spadesclaret]

Mel, my friend is sitting at her son's hospital bedside literally waiting for him to die. He has two or three days left at most. He smokes, although he has been told his cancer is not smoking related. Three or four times a day his dad wheels him outside for a cigarette. Would you condemn him to a smoke-free last few days?

[TheFamilyCat]

Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield trying to tackle the problem.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-45902674" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[evensteadiereddie]

If he's wheeled to a place around people who don't smoke and in a place where smoking is banned, he should be wheeled further away to enjoy his ciggie, dying or not. Selfishness should not become acceptable just because you're on your last legs.
Not relevant here but those arrogant tossers and, no doubt, their chav families who stand by the "No Smoking" signs at hospital entrances doing exactly the opposite should be given a warning and then discharged if at happens again. No excuses, **** 'em.

[wilks_bfc]

That would be on permanently at RBH :/

[mkmel]

Mel, my friend is sitting at her son's hospital bedside literally waiting for him to die. He has two or three days left at most. He smokes, although he has been told his cancer is not smoking related. Three or four times a day his dad wheels him outside for a cigarette. Would you condemn him to a smoke-free last few days?

I would say in such extreme cases they should of course make an exception and turn a blind eye

[evensteadiereddie]

If smoking is so important to these guys, wouldn't it have been kinder and more appropriate to let him die at home ?

[sanderson370]

I don't smoke but please tell me who polices the smoking in hospitals and you will all find no one.someone correct me if my wrong?

[mkmel]

No one policies inside the hospital as only a complete idiot or moron would smoke inside
Outside at Milton Keynes Hospital after a member of staff has been ignored or disgustingly verbally abused when asking smokers to stop then Security are called
I don't know what they can do and by the time they get there the smoker or in many cases more than one has gone

[mkmel]

And spades I am really sorry to hear about your friends Son

[spadesclaret]

If smoking is so important to these guys, wouldn't it have been kinder and more appropriate to let him die at home ?

They are continuously monitoring his pain control which couldn't be done if he was at home.

[tim_noone]

Have you never been outside before?

[evensteadiereddie]

They are continuously monitoring his pain control which couldn't be done if he was at home.

I understand and it's a pretty awful situation but I don't think smoking should happen anywhere near a hospital or, indeed, any other public building whatever the individual circumstances.

[spadesclaret]

I understand and it's a pretty awful situation but I don't think smoking should happen anywhere near a hospital or, indeed, any other public building whatever the individual circumstances.

How things change. Just over fifty years ago I was in hospital for two weeks. I smoked at the time and during that two weeks my consumption went up from 5 or 6 a day to 20 a day. Boredom? Nerves? Wakeful nights? Whatever the reason - we smoked in bed on the wards and no-one frowned at it.

Now - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-45902674" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think the idea is good but the messages are dreadful - sentimentality at its worse. A simple "Put that cigarette out" would be so much better.

[tim_noone]

Why do smokers all huddle round the front doors of pubs...when they have great smoke shelters? Provided "Colne"

[2 Bee Holed]

The tobacco tax usually raises between £8 - £9 billion per year.....it was £8.8bn in the tax year to April 2017, I believe ....

You have now set me about looking at this:
I pay £8 per packet of 20.
From Government website:

"You also pay standard rate VAT at 20% on alcohol and tobacco products.
Tobacco Duty
You pay different rates of Tobacco Duty on cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products.
Tobacco product
Rate: Cigarettes
16.5% of the retail price plus £4.34 on a packet of 20"


So out of my £8, £1.60 v.a.t. £1.32 is 16.5% and the £4.34.
So out of £8 I pay £7.26 in taxes.

I suspect my earlier calculations are conservative. I am reading that in 2016 it was £9.5 billion in excise duty plus £2.5billion in v.a.t
So in 2016 it was £12 billion. I bet my earlier guesstimate of £18billion isn't far off for 18/19.