Public shouldn't pay for those who live unhealthy lives
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Recently there have been several letters airing views about diet and smoking. There are scientifically, medically and epidemiologically established facts about both. Ignoring these facts while acting and arguing defensively against them is considered a pe
People consuming excessive amounts of fats, sugar and salt and following a generally unhealthy diet do so knowing they risk contracting diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking tobacco is established as being causal in contracting lung cancer. In both cases people have the right to freedom of lifestyle, but their rights stop there. They do not have the right to affect others, nor the right to expect others to pay in any way, financially or otherwise, for remedial treatment.
Having claimed the right to self-harm, they must also accept full responsibility for the consequences. There is an abundance of information and advice on diet and lifestyle publicly available to negate the excuse of ignorance.
There are those who will boast a lifetime of “breaking all the rules”. They claim to have arrived at their twilight years after a lifetime of smoking, imbibing and indulging. But for every such person there are thousands who met a premature demise by doing the same. There are no guarantees in life, it’s about minimising the risks and taking personal responsibility.
JC Wilcox
