At the Design Reviewer, we believe the world would be better if everyone stops smoking. 

 

Effects of a Smoker's Tax? 

The current duties only apply to the act of buying cigarettes, but ignores the more severe effects of actually lighting up.  Like a monetary fine for those smoking in places where they are not supposed to, a Smoker's Tax is to further discourage smokers from lighting up.  While It is possible to earn back monies for other forms of taxes paid, the irreparable damage to one's lungs should never be ignored. We hope that this will encourage smokers to quit.

 

The monthly taxation starts once the smoker is verified as one, after they are being reported by anyone who thinks their health and well-being is being impacted, and seconded by a third party. The taxation is placed on hold for a period of time with a verified attempt at quitting, and terminated once quitting is successful.

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What are some advantages of enacting a Smoker's Tax?

The air will be cleaner and less polluted.  Cigarettes contribute to the PM2.5 count.

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Smokers can still light up in places such as their home despite most existing laws and legal frameworks governing smoking.  The reality is, many smokers acknowledge that cigarettes and their smoke leave undesirable stains and residues within their homes, such as on the walls or the furniture. Hence, they choose to smoke on their balconies, patios, or by their windows where the residue pollutes the external environment instead of their homes.  The smoke emitted enters the common spaces and even into the homes of the smoker's neighbors, affecting their health.  The tax can provide an outlet and respite for these neighbors than to suffer in silence.

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The tax can offset health related costs that may arise from the inhalation of second hand smoke, as well as treatment costs for the smoker's own health.

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While smokers may feel than that it is their right to smoke more with the taxation, the increased smoking will be even more detrimental to their health and help surface health issues sooner which may then encourage them to quit sooner.

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Minors who cannot afford the tax will be discouraged from smoking.

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Anyone can help smokers to quit.

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Smoking is not cool. It stinks.  A tax helps to reinforce this.

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There will be less litter of cigarette butts with less smoking.  These butts leach toxic chemicals into the water when rained upon or thrown into water bodies.  If untreated and unfiltered, it will be harmful in the  long term. The tax can contribute to researches to treat and filter water.

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The filters in the butts are also made of plastic which can cause cancer.  The tax can help defray costs associated with cancer as well.

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The tax will increase the overall costs associated with smoking and makes it more expensive than those who choose to quit.

 

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Can we help smokers quit?

It is important to help those whom we care about.  We would not care about helping anyone else if we do not care about them.  Contact us if you need suggestions to do so, as well as to implement a smokers' tax.

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