Phendrana Drifts

I don't know a lot about health policy but I do know a simple equation that is important to discuss: public health spending + private health spending = total health spending. To add to this equation (and come close to exhausting my knowledge of math) I also know this: total health spending > too damn much.

A lot of the debate and sound and fury on the subject comes on re-balancing the first equation in the name of the second equation. Without wading too far into that balance of private vs. public (I support public health care) I will say that it is that total we have to tackle as a society. How? Being healthier silly.

You will note in my post on the budget I applauded the tax increase on tobacco. But higher taxes isn't the only policy piece of encouraging healthier choices when it comes to tobacco - the market alone won't encourage people to do what we want, and as was pointed out to me, if the taxes go too high, people will just smuggle them en masse.

Without enraging the libertarian in me (and it is in there, hating speed limits especially) I do think more needs to be done. Banning smoking in places where people work seems like a natural step - and while it is selfish of me to say, I can't tell you how much more I enjoy going to a bar now that people don't smoke inside here in Edmonton. Such a ban will of course be controversial, which is one of the magic words according to Sir Humphrey Appleby that causes a politician to eschew the policy, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good policy step. For the curious, according to illustrious yet fictional Permanent Secretary the magic words to get a politician to adopt a policy is: quick, simple, cheap and popular. The opposites are: lengthy, complicated, expensive and controversial. The killer is "courageous". A smoking ban? Well, it is quick, simple and relatively cheap. The question remains is it popular? It is in my household.

Labels: alberta politics

3 Comments:

At 9:48 AM, Allie said…

Maybe it will be enough to force my Mother to finally quit smoking!
At 3:41 PM, michele said…

While the really desperate will smuggle cigarettes if the price keeps going up, it does provide an incentive for those less dedicated smokers or those thinking/wanting to quit to do it now. I suspect high prices would also discourage young people (who have little money in the first place) from starting the habit.

I know cost factored into my decision to quit... and packs were less than $6 each at that time!
At 11:37 PM, Duncan said…

And you smell better for it. *ducks from dentist's drill being thrown at him*

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