Yep that is it; Cath.
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The ridiculous tax on cigarettes has built another bastion of organised crime.
Smash and grabs will become more common.
As will chop chop, and the taking over of tobacconists by gangs.
And violence and etc etc etc.
And the idiot from Quit who said vaping was leading kids to smoking, at $55 per pack, and making them think screw this cherry flavour, gimme that yummy tobacco taste, should be strung up by the toes.
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100% agree. Government is over governing our lives. Simple fix would be to do make smokers and alcoholics pay for treatment related to deceases caused by smoking and drinking.
The answer can’t be to keep increasing taxes, because all that does is increase crime.
Further really unpopular opinion.
You’re not paying for their treatment.
They’re paying for yours.
And have been for a long, long time.
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Well only if I need treatment.
Stuff that. Might as well do the same for people that don’t exercise or eat take away food.
I pay over $100k a year in income and tobacco taxes per year. Add private health insurance to that. That more than covers any cost my choice / addiction has on the health system.
My point is that they should reduce taxes on Tobacco and alcohol making it more affordable.
I get that, but the point remains that the accusation of people paying $40 tax per day, plus private, plus Medicare, are bludging on the system is just…wrong.
I’ll say again: You’re not subsidising them.
They’re subsidising you, however you want to look at it.
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The price of cigarettes due to high taxes is a deterrent to not take them up or smoke as much for many. It’s a good thing taxes are high there.
Tackling chop chop could be at least partially addressed by targeted police activity but it’s not as policing is predominantly state whilst the taxes are federal. Nothing in it for them.
I had this discussion with a smoker the other day regarding him paying so much tax on cigarettes he was entitled to treatment. The conversation moved on and he revealed he was buying chop chop. Had to laugh.
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Unpopular opinion: Aperol Spritz is rubbish.
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All fizzy waters like that are horrible. Not unpopular.
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When You Were Your Young is twice the song of stupid, unsubtle Mr Brightside.
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Any time Mark Ellis is involved in music made by Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, U2, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Killers, and so on, it has a deeper and more atmospheric sound than other albums. He has a very recognisable style as an engineer and producer.
Possibly.
Bones and Human are still pure, concentrated excrement though.
The Philippines has better beaches than Thailand and is the most underrated country in SE Asia for travel. …even if the food is a bit crap.
Definitely not unpopular IMO.
The beaches are the best in SE Asia and plenty of them you have to yourself if you want.
Very underrated country but I’m happy if it stays that way
If you are a diver or even just like a bit of snorkle it is without peer. Plenty of wrecks to explore and the variety is far greater than Reefs we’ve done in Australia. There is an amazing place we found on one of the islands run by a retired british engineer and his wife who was a touring chef a number of big bands in the 70s. I’m talking Led Zepplin amongst others. She has taught a small group of Filipinos some tricks of the trade and the food is outstanding. Very simple 7 bungalows on a secluded beach, bamboo floating jetty out to some specactular coral formations you can snorkel around and all for about $50 a night for the accomodation and cheap beer and well priced food. An absolute gem + the people on the whole are some of the most genuine open and inviting people you will meet. Manila is a bit of an acquired taste but I’ve lived here now for almost 10 years after 12 years in Beijing and 4 years in Germany. Traveled extensively through SE Asia but always missed the Philippines as people grumbled about Manila and the traffic. Both legitimate grumbles, but found so much to enjoy since moving here for work and even Manila has grown on me.
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Manila gets a bad rap, it’s a wonderful city and I’d happily live there if the time arises. We are quite regular visitors to the Philippines and normally stay a few days to catch up with friends and then fly out to other parts of the country but I think many people who dislike Manila are put off by the poor airport experiences at a terrible airport. As they say, first impressions are usually the most lasting.
Like any big city there are good parts and bad parts but if you keep your wits about you then it’s fine. Great to see you have settled in well
Oh the airport, or more accurate airports as there are 4 terminals all very disparate , do indeed have some issues but mainly on checking in when leaving the country. We have to pay a residents departure fee everytime we leave and they still use a dot matrix printer which takes 5 minutes to print each group of receipts. I know as I’ve timed it and almost missed a flight home when in a queue of only half a dozen people.
I’ve never experience much of a queue when disembarking and collecting bags unlike Melbourne airport which is about the worst I’ve experienced when arriving. My wife is German and she buries her head in her hands at the overt targeting of people of Asian decent by customs and immigration officials who yell and carry on like they are herding sheep at a country auction. Facilities are pretty tired at Manila airport and severely lacking in seats but never seen officials yell or patronise travellers like their Melbourne counterparts do. That Melbourne Airport sucks is perhaps not an unpopular opinion though.
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