RE: 10 million illegal..... cigarettes?
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Cigarettes are remarkably inexpensive here in Thailand, with low level brands going for less than $1 a pack in minimarts and even less if you buy in bulk. I do not smoke and am annoyed by it in public but you don't have to be here for very long to realize that this country has a very lax approach towards smoking and you can do it just about anywhere you want to, unfortunately.
I'm wondering if it's the same in other Asian countries too. Over the years spent on the chain, I see Asian photos where most people are smoking. I remember there was one, which I never forget. There was a guy from Indonesia or Malaysia (can't remember exactly), he posted a photo of people staying in line for government handouts, there were like 15 in total and were all smoking.
In Europe, especially in EU countries cigarettes are not cheap at all, a pack of cigarettes starts at 6-7€. Rules are strict as well all public and governmental areas are no smoking zones 🚭 Looks like Asia is far behind and money counts more than people's health.
Malaysia put a strict cigarette ban across all eateries and closed up environment. However, queuing up at the government division, before entering the premises, is still considered outdoor. So, there's a leeway for the smokers to play around. Me? I don't smoke anymore, I have stopped since 2020 for religious reasons. I don't have the hate for smokers(YET), as I heard many ex-smokers has a sense of resentment towards current smokers.
As for the expensiveness, it all really depends on how one "value" things. Cigarettes in Malaysia currently sell at 20 a box. With a minimum wage of 60 a day, that considered ⅓ of the salary evaporates 😂 still, people are smoking it. Not forgetting, government tax 500% on the cigarettes. Technically, a big chunk of the government income is from these harmful cigarettes.
sin-taxes are a huge source of revenue in many countries. I am surprised to hear that in Malaysia the tax is that high.
Sin-taxes are meant to force people to quit and I am not against it, but it seems Malaysians don't care. I wonder how is Healthcare handling the consequences 🤔
The forcing people quit tax are irrelevant. There are a million things that worth taxing, but they didn't 😌 sugar are bad enough, why not tax sugar 50000%, I think still cheaper than cocaine after tax. Diabetic rates in the country are soaring and hitting new highs year after year, yet nobody gives a flying fish about it.
Tax high enough? The alternative is exactly why this article being written 👍 illegal. Is it even legal to sin-tax cigarettes? 🤣 I'm just saying. Once again to emphasize, I totally stopped for more than 5 years now.
We agree to disagree here, but it's ok.
This seems like an entire new topic. Lemme see if I can fork out time to write a blog about how these stuff get around and get away.
I can't say I hate smokers, but I hate smoke and leave when someone is smoking around me. I don't see why I should support the bad feeling smoke creates in me and suffer.
As about smoking 1/3 of your daily wage, or 2/3 for those who smoke 2 packs ... it's sad, really sad.
In Singapore they have real rules and real consequences for breaking those rules and I wonder if that is part of the reason why Singapore is vastly more successful than all the surrounding nations all of which are significantly larger, have natural resources and a much higher population. I can't really speak for any country other than the one that I live in but there are no smoking SIGNS all over the place and then people smoking right in front of them. It's just like the speed limit signs that everyone ignores. If there are no consequences for breaking a rule, what point is there in having the rule?
People smoke wherever they feel like it here and then discard the butt on the pavement when they are done. It's kind of upsetting as a non smoker.
It is the reason why Singapore is different from the other countries in the region. There's no other way. As you say, why have rules if no one cares, not even those who should supervise respecting them. Once you strengthen control and fine those who don't want to understand, you'll get results.
The problem stems from education or the lack of it, to be precise. It's a no brainer not to throw the butt on the ground, if you want a clean environment. It's sad people don't realize what is at stake.
@erikah - in my country 9€ - been cheaper - we usually went to Luxembourg to buy cheap ones or to France.
My shock was first time London back in 2001 or so where they sold kid packs containing 8-10 cigarettes and even way more expensive as a usual pack in Germany.
And yes I know it is not healthy and shit but I am against any tax or other government driven initiative - it is like you want to tell web3 to be a friend of facebook.
We had packs of 10 in my country, but not anymore as they said the campaign is targeting teenagers and it's cheaper for them to buy it and more accessible.
As long as funds from taxing cigarettes or tobacco in general or alcohol in general is used for healthcare, I don't mind. Obviously ... God knows where the money goes.
Yeah, yet it's still happening, you like it or not.
Agree - if funds would really go to healthcare but if you have insights in politics what our government and the corrupt EU is doing it will probably land in the wrong funding pots as usual.
Not against taxes if they make sense (if my daughter will never touch a cigarette as she sees how expensive it is when she needs to spend her money - great - I do no not want she is leaving unhealthy).
Fingers crossed the global climate in politics gets better - I have not a lot faith. When I joined this platform over 9 years ago I thought we bring up de-centralized approach - use cases do lack though, we still follow the centralized rules and our chain also has issues with that.
We attract the wrong new users with our messaging but we also still make the mistake to position us as socal media platform - will not work, we need B2B / companies to use the chain as a backbone and get rid or put to layer 2 all these content reward stuff :-) - but not going to happen.
You and me both know that no matter which EU country you go to, you won't find a healthy economical or political system. The EU has 27 countries and one is worse than the other. In Europe, maybe Switzerland is where we all want our country to be, but I would not put my hand in fire for them either.
Yeah, hope dies last, but we both know things are not looking good and chances for a sharp reversal from where we are now are slim to none. Unfortunately.
Oh, Hive! Don't even get me started on how many things are wrong on how many levels here.
Yes, we attract the wrong crowd we know why. Yes, we still see Hive as a social media platform and neglect to develop so many new areas. B2B would be the future, we need it, but ... Well, the list is long.
So we are on the same page in all aspects, great.
Switzerland kind of (even thought to move there but they see especially Germans a bit tricky as Foreigners :-)!) - I do think some Nordic countries do better though but at my age I will not move anyway anymore as long as @sorin.cristescu offers me a job in Luxembourg :-).
My plan is to buy another property in my country, then go live a few months in different countries in Europe, moving from one to another, stay in Switzerland as much as I can. Nordic countries included too, of course.
🤣 Now you put poor Sorin in a difficult situation 😂
Haha @sorin.cristescu is aware and can deal with it 😀
Great idea - I have to pay still for the second one in Munich, glad the one in Bulgaria has been paid but not planning to move soon as long as i have not found a new job..... Sorin lol
Take care and was nice talking to you @erikah
You too and same here, good conversations are rare here 😳
The strange thing, the in-depth important talks happen on Discord or other areas :-) - but all fine - my CEO ignored me for the last 2 years and probably used other channels to talk to certain people.
Enjoy your evening!