British Heart Foundation "playing God"
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Forest has just received the following email. It was sent in response to the NHS/cost of smoking story that appears on the BBC News website today (see earlier post). Our correspondent, who works for the NHS, writes:
I am not a smoker – but the son of one. Also I work in the medical field as a practice manager of an NHS GP medical practice and I find the comments by Betty McBride of the British Heart Foundation simplistic in the extreme.
To suggest that somehow we would save millions by stopping people from exercising their right to smoke is (and can we please remember that smoking is not a banned substance) is yet another example of this politically correct society gone mad. For a start, as Simon Clark suggested, the tax income from smoking far outstrips any smoking related heath costs.
But more so than this, if one was to follow Betty’s logic then children who are not given the MMR (through no choice of their own, but their parents) and contract measles would be refused treatment. Also extreme sports enthusiasts (such as climbing, potholing, rugby and boxing) would be refused treatment if injured.
Betty is playing God and the BHF should stick to what they are best at, informing and educating patients and [conducting] research in the area of hypertension, CHD and IHD.
I have told them that and just wish to let you guys know.
The "monstrous cost of smoking" story is featured on the BHF website HERE. You can email their press office at newsdesk@bhf.org.uk.
Reader Comments (11)
The link did not work Simon, but at least I go the address. For what it is worth, here is what I sent to them!
Your article states - “We are now spending over £5bn a year dealing with the health consequences of smoking. This is money being drained out of the NHS as a direct result of something we have the power to prevent.
What about the £10bn plus that smokers contribute to the NHS in direct taxation, without the taxes, etc, that are received by the government from tobacco companies in terms of employment tax, NI, etc and this obviously stretches to other industries that rely on business from the tobacco industry?
Your article also states - Yet the true tragedy of this monstrous figure is the lives that are cut short or ruined as a result of smoking.
I can tell you that since the smoking ban was announced my life has changed drastically and for the worse. I am now being treated for depression, anxiety and panic attacks, all down to the fact that I am unable to socialise any more because of this smoking ban, I do not feel safe going out because of all the lies and scare tactic propoganda used by yourselves, ASH, CRUK, etc that some ignorant people have decided to take as gospel and therefore feel justified in attacking, verbally and/or physically those who smoke; I have even lost a job because of being a smoker. According to 'my' psychiatrist, the number of people needing psychiatric services has more than trebled since this ban came into force. Myself and others in the same/similar situation have also tried to take our own lives due to the stress and depression - I wonder how many deaths you have caused with your propoganda?
As far as:
Smoking was directly responsible for 19% of all deaths in the UK
An estimated 110,000 deaths in the UK could be attributed to smoking, causing the deaths of over 27% of men and nearly 11% of women.
How come no-one, despite being asked on countless occasions, can name just one person, never mind 3, who has died as a direct result of smoking?
The other, rather simple figure that just does not add up, is how come as the numbers of people smoking has decreased by around 50%, or more, in the last 30 years, how come the incidents of 'death by smoking / smoke related diseases' is still managing to increase?
The figures spouted by yourselves and your cohorts in ASH, CRUK, etc are so blatantly untrue that it leaves the average person, smoker or not, wondering how much, if anything, of what you say can be believed, just like the government!
I, and many other smokers no longer give to your charity or cancer charities because too much of what you receive goes towards anti tobacco propoganda rather than what you say you are collecting for; many of do not give blood or carry donor cards, for the simple reason that if we are not good enough to socialise with then our blood and organs are obviously not good enough either!
If you really must use money, given in good faith, for research into smoking then at least do it honestly and use proper scientific methods. At the same time it could well be worth looking into the impact of vehicle fumes on the population as whilst smoking has been decreasing, vehicles on roads have been increasing and with more and more lower speed limits (20mph) vehicles are spewing out far more harmful toxins than anyone smoking an innocent cigarette.
Of course, it is highly unlikely that you will get this far in my message as once you realise I am a smoker you will either delete the message or try to 'win' me over. Of that you have no chance as I will never even contemplate giving up smoking whilst this law is in place.
Mrs Lyn L....
Victim of an Unjust, Unnecessary and Draconian Law
The British Heart Foundation should be closed down. Along with ASH, CRUK, RCP, and all the other disgusting, divisive, poisonous anti-smoking fake charities. And the WHO as well. Did I miss anyone?
You all keep forgetting the government revenue from the corporation tax levied on the profits of the tobacco companies. This is an important slice of revenue given that at least 15% of the cost of a packet of cigarettes is tobacco company profit. Corporation tax now runs at 19% - so, for all the 15%s that tobacco companies receive from sales, 19% of those 15%s goes to the government as well.
Send messages to them if you like, but I shall be complaining to the BMA about this woman.
BMA head office
BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP
Telephone: 020 7387 4499
Fax: 020 7383 6400
email: use our online enquiry form
Feel free to join in.
I wouldn't even refer to 'it' as a 'woman' Dick.
The words that she spoke to the nation were like words from a far-right facist *****. (I really am having to bite my tongue).
I am appalled that a person from a so-called caring profession could actually say that.
God help us all - smokers and non-smokers alike.
It is slightly reassuring, from the correspondence shown above, that not all within the Health Service appear to be so brainwashed.
Cigarette taxes will rise by 5 per cent above inflation from tonight - by 25 pence a packet - with every penny of the extra revenue going - as I promised - to funding our hospitals and the National Health Service.
Chancellor Budget Speach 2000
Thank you Dick for your post you can alternatively make a complaint to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, I have.
ftp@nmc-org
Sorry ftp@nmc-uk.org
Apologies for he multiple posts but after being given the run around here is the email address to complain about Jane DeVille-Almond
nicola.cooper@nmc-uk.org
Dave. I did that and was told to complain to NMC
Referring a nurse or midwife to the NMC
I have emailed Betty McBride to say she should be ashamed of herself for putting out such outrageous nonsense in the guise of fact. Of course, the media should be equally ashamed for regurgitating it uncritically.