Eat that greasy burger and smoke that cigarette: Fatties and Smokers save us money in healthcare costs!

By SN Thursday February 7, 2008

Patriotic Americans doing their duty to die prematurely!

Associated Press/Wired via the Consumerist:

Preventing obesity and smoking can save lives, but it doesn’t save money, researchers reported Monday. It costs more to care for healthy people who live years longer, according to a Dutch study that counters the common perception that preventing obesity would save governments millions of dollars.

“It was a small surprise,” said Pieter van Baal, an economist at the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, who led the study. “But it also makes sense. If you live longer, then you cost the health system more.”

8 Comments

Dallas says:

2/7/2008 at 6:03 am

Yes, and criminals employ millions of law enforcement officers, lawyers. They also drive replacement purchases of billions of dollars in goods. Thank goodness for criminals.
Cinaedh says:

2/7/2008 at 6:05 am

I’m not sure I understand how it all works but it seems to me, this should mean North American health care costs are currently, significantly lower than they might otherwise be.

The HMOs must be ecstatic and urging their ‘clients’ to frequent fast food establishments.
Named says:

2/7/2008 at 6:33 am

Ok… so, I smoke BUT I eat very healthy… what does that do for society?
Gary, the dangerous infidel says:

2/7/2008 at 7:06 am

Fire up the barbecue and grill up a tasty batch of lardburgers with extra cheese. They say that only the good die young, but if you try hard enough, so can you 😉
Rex711 says:

2/7/2008 at 8:15 am

The middle russian man lives only 59 years. Because Russia so rich? We are so cheap for Putin’s goverment. I am russian and i am 37. http://rex711.blogspot.com/
Angel H. Wong says:

2/7/2008 at 8:27 am

Well duh, with a decreasing birth rate and an aging population it’s no wonder.
SN says:

2/7/2008 at 11:51 am

1. “Yes, and criminals employ millions of law enforcement officers, lawyers.”

Maybe you never learned how to make an analogy. Or maybe you just don’t get the point of the article. Or maybe you didn’t even take the time to read it but felt the need to mash your ignorant fingers on a keyboard for the fun of it.

However, criminals are bad for society because they cost us money. Because we have to pay police, judges, and lawyers criminals are a detriment to society.

However, because fatties and smokers die sooner, they save, not cost, but save us money because we do not have to pay doctors, nurses, and hospitals, etc.
TheGlobalWarmingNemesis says:

2/8/2008 at 4:36 am

#3 – What you do confuses society. So quit smoking or start eating batter dipped, deep fried bacon.