Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Should those that smoke be barred from public healthcare?

Bigthink — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:54:52 +0100

I agree. Bad idea. Takes a first step down a very slippery slope.

Not all people have a CHOICE to be healthy. There are many things that can prevent a person from being as healthy as they want to be. And people who choose to drink or smoke are not commiting crimes, and should not be punished by having their health care removed. They are already paying taxes on their vices, maybe the money gained from these taxes can be put toward the health care system to compensate for the added health problems of people who induldge.

Comment on: Should those that smoke be barred from public healthcare?

Bigthink — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:29:48 +0100

While I abhor smoking, and think that smokers do place a burden on us all. I think this may be going a step too far. If we were to do this, would we ban sky-divers? People that have more speeding tickets than others? Gun-Owners? Heavy Drinkers? Where does the line stop? That being said, if you smoke, you are selfish. What right do you have to make the room I'm in smoky/cancerous? My streets filled with cigarette butts? My healthcare costs sky high?

Comment on: Should those that smoke be barred from public healthcare?

Bigthink — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:49:48 +0100

We draw the line at responsibility. I eat right, I exercise, I don't smoke, I don't drink. My bmi is excellent - by accident that I am healthy? Nope - I work at it and I am TIRED of hearing people complain about their many expensive prescriptions and aches and pains and all that when they have a CHOICE in the matter. And I also blame doctors a lot (at least those where I live) for prescribing too many pills and the pharmaceutical industry for advertising drugs on tv - making them look so appealing!

Comment on: Should those that smoke be barred from public healthcare?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:00:11 +0100

Interesting point. There are many plans now where people who smoke already pay higher premiums. What about people who drink alcohol? Obese people? There is talk of giving breaks for people who exercise regularly. Which, depending on how you look at it, is essentially a tax on people who don't exercise regularly. There are tests that can tell you if you have a predisposition to certain genetic diseases.

Where do we draw the line?