How Smoking Saves Money

Insight ^ | 11/15/02 | James Lacey

[Jean S]

Self-appointed watchdogs of our health and well-being have approached the elimination of tobacco from our daily lives with crusading zeal. Continual efforts to ban smoking in every public nook and cranny have forced smokers to behave akin to medieval lepers. It would be interesting to know the productivity cost of smokers deserting their jobs to gather furtively in dark corners beyond the reach of the antismoking zealots. Thrown together with the savings caused by smokers' pronounced tendency to die off early (therefore no longer needing expensive senior care), there probably is a decent argument that society would realize a large fiscal gain by encouraging smoking.

However, this type of cost-benefit analysis is not the strong suit of professional zealots. So, it is no real wonder that they completely missed the massive health costs that increased tobacco taxes and huge settlements have inflicted on the public they have sworn to save. As every smoker or person even associated with a smoker knows, when you quit smoking you gain weight. Common sense makes the reason obvious and we will not dwell on it now. What has not been missing is the cost of this increased caloric consumption.

A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research lays out some of the costs of increasing tobacco prices. The zealots have run smack into the law of unintended consequences. According to the study, every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes leads directly to a 2 percent rise in the number of obese people. Between 1980 and 2001 the real price of cigarettes increased 164 percent. In that same period the number of obese people increased by 50 percent. Public-health professionals say privately that this massive increase can be traced back to the effects of higher cigarette prices, though fast food and changed working habits also were major contributors.

The problem is that the health effects of obesity far outweigh the negative effects of smoking. Two Rand researchers, health economist Roland Sturm and psychiatrist Kenneth Wells, examined the comparative effects of obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and poverty on chronic health conditions and health expenditures. Their finding: Obesity is the most serious problem. It is linked to a big increase in chronic health conditions and significantly higher health expenditures. And it affects more people than smoking, heavy drinking or poverty.

Early deaths caused by obesity already are well over 300,000 annually, and are growing. Obesity-related health-care costs have grown to over $100 billion a year and now consume over 6 percent of all health-care spending.

Of course the zealots have a ready answer for all of this: Just add a little more social engineering and everything will be okay. All we have to do now is take all the smokers who no longer can afford their vice of choice and force them to eat healthily. The great legal tort machine, well funded by tobacco settlements, already is gearing up for this new effort.

Look for a lot more lawsuits filed against McDonald's and Burger King as the zealots try to make us all better people.

James Lacey is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a New York-based columnist with expertise in finance and military affairs.

[Hodar]

... there probably is a decent argument that society would realize a large fiscal gain by encouraging smoking.

Exactly, nothing generates revenue like Emphysema, throat cancer, lung cancer, mouth cancer, excessive sick days; and sore throats. Plus, smelling stale smoke at your desk is certainly a huge incentive for smokers and non-smokers alike to stay longer and work harder. What's the next big article? The financial benefits of suicide, arsnic and heroin?

[per loin]

Those who habitually spew their anti-smoking rants here on FR, ought state their weights. I'm a heavy smoker. 5'10", 168 pounds. Last visited a doctor, for other than sewing or broken bones, over forty years ago. I've smoked heavily for longer than that.

[per loin]

Are you fat?

[JoeSixPack1]

Anti-smoking "fanatics believe that their actions are inherently 'good', even as they trample the rights, dignity and lives of those they wish to 'save'".

Look familiar?

[Grit]

Bump.

[SheLion]

Put a sock in it!

[Hodar]

There is a big difference between limiting YOUR right to smoke and permitting me to breathe. I cannot escape a smokers stench in my office, or at a resturant (I have to be at work, or I have to eat). A smoker can take his habit elsewhere to stink up the place, and hurt himself. I used to smoke 1.5 packs/day of Marlboro Red (hardpack, please). I got tired of walking outside to smoke, the sore throats and paying through the nose. So, I quit; and after smoking for 10+ yrs, I can tell you it's not easy .... but I did. As to whether I'm fat or not.... I'm actually not fat at all. I could stand to lose a few pounds, for for a 6ft tall man, 220 isn't obese.

[AngryOne]

Over 41% of all deaths nationally are attributable to heart disease. The major cause of heart disease is obesity, and high "fat" diet, or if you will a behavioral choice. If soaking the taxpayer for the consequences of peoples "behavioral choices" is too much (ie: smokers, driving without seatbelts, not wearing a helmet on motorcycles), and yet fat people are costing us more money, why not the exorbitant lawsuits against candybar makers?
Additionally, I would rather look at smokers than at huge, gross, and obese people cramming their pie holes with more food, as I foot the bill for their subsequent nursing home costs when they can't walk more than 30 steps without a walker.
Smokers rule, fatties suck, people that attempt to regulate and enforce safety suck the worst.
Give me liberty or give me death... yeah, and a pack of Lucky's. Keep the twinkie.

[MadIvan]

The calculations probably work better in a country with a greater welfare state, like, erm, Britain. If people smoke, they pay massive taxes into the Treasury. If they die sooner, they cost less in terms of long term care, pensions and retirement homes.

In effect, thanks to socialism, the government has an incentive for us to die as soon as we stop being good little taxpayers and actually want to draw on what we've paid.

Regards, Ivan

[Hodar]

Are you ugly? There is a difference between a person who is overweight or even obese (Why do you think Nutrition is a doctoriate program?) and a person who is addicted to a drug. Nicotine is a drug.

The issue at hand is that smokers tend to make up the lower income of population, yet tend to have a higher than average incidence of heart, liver, lung, throat and mouth ailments.

To encourage this habit, as this article does; it as thoughtless as espousing the virtues of heroin, LSD, and body mutilation. Smoking is self-distructive, anyone who can read the Surgeon Generals warning should recognize this fact.

[SheLion]

New Law Seeks to Reduce Obesity

21 September 2002

Low fat New Yorkers might be healthier for the state budget. This week, the governor signed the Obesity Prevention Act into law. It asks the Health Department to find ways to help New Yorkers get healthier, reduce obesity and cut the cost to the state.

(What's next?  They said the same thing about smoking!)

click here

Studies:  Obesity Worse Than Tobacco Smoking

OBESITY LINKED TO HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC ILLNESS AND WORSE PHYSICAL
QUALITY OF LIFE THAN SMOKING, DRINKING OR POVERTY
THREE OF FIVE ADULT AMERICANS ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE

Study by RAND

"with worse physical health-related quality of life than are lifetime smoking, problem drinking or poverty."

Couch potato lifestyle is worse for your health than smoking

Poor diet and lack of exercise cause more illness than smoking, new figures show.

article here

Surgeon general warns obesity may overtake tobacco as leading preventable killer

click here

Hospitals challenged by obese patients

The Charleston Post and Courier | July 28, 2002 |

"They put a towel over my incision so I could squeeze through the doorway," Sightler said.

With the growing obesity epidemic, how can hospitals better accommodate severely overweight patients?

."It's beginning to be an issue everywhere. The rate of obesity is skyrocketing," said Dr. Patrick O'Neil, director of MUSC's Weight Management Center.

story here

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !!

[Hodar]

I do not question the fact that FAT is a killer. Being overweight is not good for your health. However, are you also aware of: Insulin Resistance, carb addiction, and cultural issues that impact weight? Diabetes is commonplace, where it used to be rare. Medical science is constantly showing that obese people are seldom to blame for their weight. Doesn't make sense, but it's true. Some people are blessed with enzymes that aid in weight control, while others are not. Fat people are constantly hungry, and the fatter they get, the hungrier they feel.

Smoking on the other hand, is a laxitive as well as a metobolic booster. I never had a weight problem while I was smoking. The fact that nicotine was causing my metabolism to work faster kept me trim. Now I don't smoke, and like most smokers who quit; I put on some weight. However, I quit smoking, and have lost 40 lbs so far.

Let's be intellectually honest. Smoking is a habit, like a junkie and his needle. It has practically no benefits, it is self-distructive, it's known to cause cancer ... why do that to your self or your loved ones?

[SheLion]

The issue at hand is that smokers tend to make up the lower income of population, yet tend to have a higher than average incidence of heart, liver, lung, throat and mouth ailments.

Kiss my White American butt you uneducated boob!

[Gabz]

Those who habitually spew their anti-smoking rants here on FR, ought state their weights.

I'm with you.

5'10", 168 pounds.

5'10", 120 pounds.

Last visited a doctor, for other than sewing or broken bones, over forty years ago.

I do go for annual ob-gyn exams - but other than that, it's been over 20 years for me and I've been smoking longer than that.

[SheLion]

Let's TAX the FAT!

[Gabz]

Nicotine is a drug.

so is caffeine........so your point is.......what???????

[ThinkDifferent]

I cannot escape a smokers stench in my office, or at a resturant (I have to be at work, or I have to eat)

You certainly don't have to eat at restaurants which allow smoking. You want your personal preferences to trump the rights of property owners, which is a core belief of the left. (And no, I don't smoke).

[SheLion]

Smoking is a habit, like a junkie and his needle. It has practically no benefits, it is self-distructive, it's known to cause cancer ..

I have ask this question so many times before: so what is YOUR relaxation of choice? Prescription drugs or BOOZE?

[Not_Who_U_Think]

Of course it has benefits - it's pleasurable, and I enjoy it. It is an addiction of sorts, but that's the way it is. I accept responsibility for my actions.

However, fat can't be blamed on anything other than gluttony. Losing weight comes down to simply putting down the fork.

[JoeSixPack1]

We can take our habit, our income, our jobs, our offices, our companies and dump all the non-smokers' can't we?

Ohhhh, sorry, that's not part of the equation. Only those opposed to smoke are allowed to live, work and prosper.

My first quote of your bio still stands:

Anti-smoking "fanatics believe that their actions are inherently 'good', even as they trample the rights, dignity and lives of those they wish to 'save'".

[Dimensio]

Kiss my White American butt you uneducated boob!

Well, you certainly showed him with that well-reasoned and intelligently thought out argument.

[El Sordo]

Big fat bump!

[Dimensio]

However, fat can't be blamed on anything other than gluttony.

I have a documented medical condition that lends itself to weight gain (it creates a situation where the body's metabolism is dangerously low).

Now, I managed to keep my weight down even before I took corrective medication, but that is because my eating habits range from poor to nonexistent. Not everyone is as picky and underfed as I.

[SheLion]

Well, you certainly showed him with that well-reasoned and intelligently thought out argument.

You know, I get just a LITTLE bit tired of our own "kind" coming into the smoking threads and flaming us. What side is everyone on, anyhow!

We are good decent Republicans that choose to smoke a LEGAL commodity. I get worn out trying to defend myself and the rest of the community who chooses to smoke, to so-called Conservatives that come in and slam us constantly!

Your either for the rights of all American people or your not. You can't stand on the fence! Just because good, decent, EDUCATED Republicans smoke, that shouldn't give the non-smoking Republicans the right to turn nico-anti-nazi smoking on us. Get the drift?

[AngryOne]

Lookit... I was obviously being very "tongue in cheek" and was using dark humour to assist my point of view. But there does exists a troubling trend in this republic. I recently wrote a lengthy article for a paper in my "locale". There was an initiative to soak the smokers yet again. I did a little research and found that smokers account for 7% of all health care costs in my state, whereas payments made via m-care and m-caid for cardiac related illness exceed 32%, and yet they were targeting the evil smoker.

What is even more troubling is that we are even allowing such a "anti-liberty" movement such as the enforcing (via tax and penalty) measures that restrict our personal choices in the name of safety and security. Can you imagine our founding fathers contemplating passage of taxes that select those that partake in activity that causes harm to themselves?

My other point was that if this is about safety, there are obviously bigger dragons to slay. Driving, for example, is a mass killer. Obesity causes a higher proportionate amount of deaths percentage wise in the US. What about the latest developement concerning the use of microwaves and plastic? It is being shown that using plastic in a micro wave will saturate your food with 50,000 times the acceptable limit of carcinogens. Are we now going to tax tupperware?

I have been a medic for 9+ years. I have seen what smoking does to folks at all points in a lifespan. I have picked up terminal patients choking on their lung tissue as they cling desperately to those last 5 minutes of life. I have also run codes on 45 year old fat pukes whose diet consisted of 6,000+ calorie diets. I have also strained my back trying to lift the 450 lb welfare pig. But so what, iyt doesn't really matter either way. It's their choice too make. Heck, smoke and eat too much, job security for me.

[metesky]

I like you style. Stay angry.

[Dimensio]

You know, I get just a LITTLE bit tired of our own "kind" coming into the smoking threads and flaming us.

I wasn't flaming smokers. I was flaming your 'refutation' of an anti-smoker with an ad hominem. It isn't a reasoned argument when they do it and it isn't one when you do it.

[AngryOne]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!
Be careful though, you don't want to give the politicians any ideas!
As they say;

"There is nothing so permanent as a temporary tax."

[VRWC_minion]

Simple translation: Smokers have no self control.

But alas, the smoking addicts only choice is die from tobacco or die from obesity. Poor babies. Luckily some of non-addicts have more choices.

[metesky]

Most smokers don't want you to pay for thei health costs. I think as conservatives we should all be working against the socialism that has invaded the health care industry, then we could both live (and die) with our choices and nobody's pocket is picked.

[VRWC_minion]

5"11 174lb adult male who believes your smoke is ofsensive and finds many smokers very inconsiderate because they have no clue how bad their smoke smells.

[AngryOne]

Why thank you! I just get really angry sometimes (hence "AngryOne") that we are so willing to trade away our liberties in the pursuit of safety, security, political correctness, and even to avoid being unpopular. Did you know that their is a group that is attempting to make any act of smoking cigarettes in movie an automatic "R" rating? How freaking stupid and idiotic is that? Yet what is even more idiotic is that there are those who will actually give serious discussion and thought to this.

Sometimes I feel like I'm that little boy who is getting slapped for stating that the kings bloated and grotesque nudity is exactly that, whilst the populace fawns over his nakedness calling it wonderful clothing.

[Gabz]

Either your walk wasn't long enough or the pier wasn't short enough.

[GeekDejure]

All we have to do now is take all the smokers who no longer can afford their vice of choice and force them to eat healthily.

Hey . . . Smo Que !!! (think of it as a middle finger)

[Gabz]

Compared to me - you're FAT FAT FAT and I find you offensive.

[VRWC_minion]

I have ask this question so many times before: so what is YOUR relaxation of choice?

Sex, which is infinitely better after quiting. The blood flows better, the smells are better and things taste better.

[Dimensio]

You need to understand that some of these people don't have that option. It's their breath, probably, if not the colour of their teeth.

[AngryOne]

Offensive? Smells bad?
Has it come to this where we have been banned from virtually every building (no argument here on that), taxed into lunacy, blamed for everything short of JFK's assasination, and now we are being slammed for being "offensive & smelly" too?
I personally find fat people to offensive. Matter of fact, I have sustained mental suffering after looking at huge porkers waddeling around in bathing suits and speedos. Rosie O' Donnell has forever ruined my sex drive. Can I sue her? Maybe that's the real reason for the growing gay population. Too many fatties.

[VRWC_minion]

As a nonsmoker I can hold my breath for a long time.

[VRWC_minion]

And your short and I think short people got no reason to live.

[AngryOne]

Well okay then. As long as the feds are kept out of the loop, everything is okay.

It is still moronic though.

What about "Fat Bastard"? Shouldn't he garner at least an "X"?

[metesky]

I couldn't agree with you more.

This is the second time this has happened! Cut it out. I'm darn sick and tired of your reasonable attitude!
;O)

[Gabz]

I'm a swimmer - I'm quite capable of holding my breath for great lengths of time.

[tiki]

This reminds me of a friend who went to a nurse's conference. She said that people would walk by her and frown and sometimes make nasty comments. She said she wanted to tell them all to look in the mirror and see how fat they were.