Smoke as much as you like.  Your stupidity.  Just do not show up at a local hospital with your lung cancer or emphasema and push others out of the line with your demands of free health care for your self inflicted death wish.

Al Gore last night put a figure of 100 million people who have died because of smoking.  Sad you want to add your name to the list mate.

Dingo, get off your high horse -- I was also a smoker -- it was very popular when I was young AND growing up -- almost everyone smoked-- I agree the tobacco companies are the scum of the earth -- get people hooked and then hit them with a great expense-- I gave it up but I really feel for those that still smoke as it is very expensive AND very hard to give up.  Plus the fact you can bet the Pollies have their money invested in Tobacco.

  Also Mick I know smoking may not be healthy BUT I have known of many people that have smoked all their life and have lived to a ripe old age, give the smokers a fair go -- it is not easy to give up -- plus do not forget that a smoker does NOT light up and then jump in a car and KILL a family -- like people on Alcohol do.

There would not be a lot who lived to a ripe old age PlanB and the statistics of those who die are horrific.  Then add on the cost to taxpayers whilst the tobacco companies made billions out of it.  100 million people dying of smoking related issues is a pretty compelling reason to sit up and take notice.  Got my attention.

I am not trying to be harsh. Certainly not my intention.  Nor am I wanting to tell people what to do.  I just want smokers to pay for any smoking related ailments out of their own pockets. That is something they will not do even though it is also their 'choice'.

I am happy for you that you kicked the addiction.  I had a father who died of lung cancer and a mother with emphysema despite having now been off the cigs for some 20 years.  She also uses the public health system to fix her up.  Not right! How did I miss out?  Lucky!

Mick - why don't you apply your commendable views on folks not sponging off the system to your labor leftie mob.

Same principle no?

Make others pay for anything and everythin, tax the rich and stifle the economy ...

No,no Dingopoo, give up alcohol, smoking, eating meat, but not sex!!

Seriously though I agree with Banjo, more education, starting in primary school.

I agree with Mick, taking up space in our hospitals with self inflicted smoking diseases is hurting the budget. 

I don't smoke and drink very little, yet I am paying for the upkeep of people who can't or won't give up these substances. As far as I 'm concerned a person can smoke until they blow their stack, but they should pick up the tabs and again I agree with Mick.

Mick what about drinkers and not only themselves but the damage they cause to others when they drive drunk.

As far as Al Gore goes -- the leaking radiation from all the stuffed up Nuclear reactors like Chernobyl and Fukushima will get us long b4  the so called climate change -- which will happpen in any case because it has happened since time began -- and will continue to happen -- not that all these counties such as the   "good old USA'  is helping with all there invasions etc and the hunger for money with Oil and minning

Good on you casey.  Hope you live a long life

Yes Casey, you have my congratulations too. Smoking is very hard to give up, but you have proven it can be done.

Smoking hard to give up?

Don't manke me laugh

Ive given it up half a dozen times 

Buzz off