Should the public pay for cancer operations of smokers?

[Hermes]

Just asking.

[OldIslander]

Slippery slope....!

Are you a few pounds heavier than the ideal body mass/height/weight ratio? That is largely considered to be unhealthy. Maybe overweight people should be cut off the medical plan as well?

[WeatherWoman]

Tax the cigarettes and have that pay for the medical cost of smoking.

Anyone know where the current taxes are heading to?

[Hermes]

Slippery slope....!

Are you a few pounds heavier than the ideal body mass/height/weight ratio? That is largely considered to be unhealthy. Maybe overweight people should be cut off the medical plan as well?

You make a good point. I see these issues as being serious ones that need to be addressed in discussion about public health systems.

[What_the]

Where does it end? Go skiing and break a leg? Heart disease-should have taken better care of your self. Have the flu- should have washed your hands more.
Who gets to decide? Some people won't take blood transfusions as an example and we can be assured there will always be one person that disagrees with one's lifestyle...want that guy rubber stamping your insurance forms?

I believe, and someone can correct me as last I looked, that we contribute about $6000/person a year in premiums and sales tax that goes to ward health infrastructure.

[What_the]

And besides, are we able to the 100% certainly say smoking is the cause of a cancer? Smoking drives risk factors but isn't AFAIK, the unequivocal definitive cause

[Even Steven]

Tax the cigarettes.

Some people can get lung cancer without ever smoking.

Some people can smoke all their life without getting cancer.

[jimmy4321]

Maybe our system shouldn't cover heart issues for those who shovel heavy snow.

[ifwisheswerehorses]

Can we add all the fentynol overdose kits and stuff to this list? Seems fitting.

[vegas1500]

Maybe our system shouldn't cover heart issues for those who shovel heavy snow.

I don't think it's the snow shoveling that's the issue....it's bringing to light an underlying health issue.....but I get what your saying.

[Queen K]

Just saw this thread now, I'll add to it later. But the whole topic is one of slippery slope for sure. High blood pressure? Keep out of hottubs and have virtually no salt in your diet. Only you bought a bag of chips and dip, both high in sodium.

Cigarettes cause much much more than cancer too. The list is incredible. More later.

[vegas1500]

Just saw this thread now, I'll add to it later. But the whole topic is one of slippery slope for sure. High blood pressure? Keep out of hottubs and have virtually no salt in your diet. Only you bought a bag of chips and dip, both high in sodium.

Cigarettes cause much much more than cancer too. The list is incredible. More later.

Mmmmm, ripple chips and dill pickle dip....

[Queen K]

STOP IT! You're making me want it.