Dr. Pho, While smoking may indeed be an issue in this article, it seems like a rather weak argument. Why stop at smoking? If we are going to start collecting debts based on what people spend on bad habits then why not go the whole 9 yards? How many beers per month do you drink? How many mixed drinks? How much chocolate do you consume in a months time? If someone goes to taco bell twice a month and has a history of reflux disease, why not take that 5 bucks each month? Do you ever go out to a movie with your children? Why not get a court order prohibiting them from doing anything until the debt is paid?

The bottom line is if they are smokers they will most likely continue to be one regardless of what debts they owe. The medical profession needs to get real and work on a REAL solution with their patients on this issue. Instead of refusing that small amt. they offer to pay on a monthly basis and chossing insead to demand payment in full, maybe you need a sit down and come to an agreement that will work for both parties? Seems like the grown up thing to do.