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Want to be nannied? Text in now!

Mrs Bucko has started receiving text messages from Darwen Health Centre saying:

Text back and tell us, are you:
1) A smoker
2) An ex-smoker
3) Never smoked

It sounds like another expensive anti-smoking drive is upon us from our (local?) cash strapped NHS.


Has anyone else received similar messages and does anyone know what happens after you respond?
Brought to life via the medium of Guinness by Bucko

14 Comments:

The Filthy Engineer said...

No, but I'd text them back that I smoke 1000 per day and await the next text.

20:08
microdave said...

What happens if you text back with the words "Mind your own f***ing business"??

20:35
Anonymous said...

Forward their number on then Bucko let's all text them.

20:36
Paul said...

Piss off, and take your anti-smoking rhetoric with you!

I live in Ribble Valley Bucko and haven't received this kind of utter shite. Then again, I don't have a mobile phone. Lucky me. ;)

21:05
Anonymous said...

There was an article the other day on a US blogsite about just a thing. It is run by the USDA and called Karen. You sign up with your portable device (cell phone, PDA, iPad, etc.) and then when you begin craving a fear mongering message about obesity, it sends you a text message to remind you what to fear and remain vigilant about. I'm certain the same is in store to send out messages to remind people to fear smokers and to be on constant alert. Here is the link:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/87634.html

21:12
Bucko said...

FE, Microdave and Paul - Comments like that would be my first idea of a response.
Unfortunately, Bruteforce, Mrs Bucko's first response is to delete the message and carry on what she was doing.
Apparently she has now had three messages so it probably won't be long before she gets another. I'll get he to keep it so I can post the number.

Anon- Hmmm.. There is a similar one I spotted in NZ. It sends you text messages encouraging you on your attemp to quit smoking.

21:27
Bucko said...

Paul - Ribble Valley? Is that the same health authority?
Ahhh... No phone. Lucky you indeed :-)

21:28
Paul said...

We're under East Lancashire PCT for some things and Preston for some other services. It was kind of a fudge, if I remember rightly because our geographic location and bus routes are much closer to Preston than Blackburn.

You're under Blackburn with Darwen PCT, if I'm right?

21:49
Bucko said...

It probably is Blackburn with Darwen PCT now. If I remember rightly it used to be Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

21:59
Paul said...

If I remember rightly, some services (I would imagine mainly social services) run under similar schemes: i.e. Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, et al.

22:07
Twisted Root said...

Sounds like 'nudging' to me. Which can be incredibly irritating after a while. A metaphorical punch in the face would put a stop to it.

23:31
Anonymous said...

If the cell phone company charges you for incoming text messages, can you not turn around and sue the bastards who sent you the unwanted text message? I would save them as evidence, along with the cell phone bill when it comes then sue the living crap out of the agency who sent them out, asking for triple damages plus court fees. Spread it around and get others to do the same and soon they won't be sending out text messages willy nilly to try intimidating their victims.

04:59
Anonymous said...

Not had a text but I had to request a repeat prescription for a relative recently and the form now has the same questions appended at the bottom.

06:52
Bucko said...

Anon - Just for a repeat prescription? Nosey bastards!

09:51

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