Should we introduce a 'Fat Tax' to the UK?

This thread has been set up due to a request:

I'd love to but I can't be arsed, feel free to start one up on my behalf :smile:

A Fat Tax is a proposed tax on foods and drinks that are perceived and judged to be linked to the increasingly high level of obesity in society.

In the case where many would agree with the title that we should introduce a Fat Tax to the UK, here are some points opposing it:

- People who are underweight may need to each such foods for their benefits, is it ethical to ask them to pay extra to make them healthier and better?

- Fat Tax may not deter people from buying such foods, what else needs to be done?

- Where would this money from the tax go?

- This may encourage people blaming the foods for the obesity, therefore a lack of responsibility.

- How would we decide which products cause obesity?

- A tax would punish successful businesses for providing products that people want.

- Obesity is not just caused by consumption of such products

This should be interesting!

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Reply 1

DorianGrayism

Well, the Danish tried it and they have abolished it.

It just seems like quick fix to a serious problem.

I am not even sure what you are going to tax.

If you tax Fast Food, then people will just get their food fix from supermarkets. If you tax foods high in fat, then what is to stop people from over-eating Carbs.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 2

The_Dragonborn

Yes. Cigarettes are taxed. Alcohol is taxed. I see no reason why unhealthy foods shouldn't be taxed too.

Reply 3

GeogBerry

If the tax on fatty foods was counter- balanced with a reduction of tax on vegetables ect. I'd be all up for it

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Reply 4

username234673

No.

Why should I pay more for unhealthy food when I maintain an otherwise healthy, balanced diet and a healthy weight?

Reply 5

Tyrion_Lannister

Doesn't bother me, but I wouldn't be against it.

Reply 6

Jay_Fitness

I would agree with it for so long as the healthier foods such as fruit and vegetables were reduced in price, and drastically.

Reply 7

tengentoppa

It's already been dried in other countries and it did not work. You can be fat without eating unhealthy food and you can be healthy and eat fatty food.

Reply 8

ipoop

Original post by GeogBerry

If the tax on fatty foods was counter- balanced with a reduction of tax on vegetables ect. I'd be all up for it

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This! And make nakd bars cheaper! :fuhrer:

This is a stupid idea anyway, similar to the porn filter imposed by the ***** in No 10. This in no way tackles the core problem, and means the one chocolate bar I eat every month will be more expensive :colonhash:

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Reply 9

Bridget Jones

Original post by DorianGrayism

Yes, initially: I was in your position, however: I have re-thought this, after reading some of the cons of Fat Tax, as seen in the OP. I assume that they will tax all unhealthy foods.

How do you suggest we stop people overeating.

Original post by GeogBerry

If the tax on fatty foods was counter- balanced with a reduction of tax on vegetables ect. I'd be all up for it

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Oh, that is an interesting idea! :clap2:

Original post by The_Dragonborn

Yes. Cigarettes are taxed. Alcohol is taxed. I see no reason why unhealthy foods shouldn't be taxed too.

This is, in fact, one of the cons too. Some argue that this will lead us down a route where everything is taxed. But, I fail to see what is wrong with that route?

Original post by mikeyd85

No.

Why should I pay more for unhealthy food when I maintain an otherwise healthy, balanced diet and a healthy weight?

That is one of the cons too. So, do you suggest we tax people that are not in the healthy BMI or body fat percentage?

Original post by Tyrion_Lannister

Doesn't bother me, but I wouldn't be against it.

Why does it not bother you?

Reply 10

Dragonfly07

Original post by nivvy21

- People who are underweight may need to each such foods for their benefits, is it ethical to ask them to pay extra to make them healthier and better?

People who are underweight shouldn't eat foods like muffins and McDonalds to gain weight, because it is the unhealthy way to do it. They should gain weight by eating more rice, pasta, etc.

- Where would this money from the tax go?

More money into research on the treatment/prevention of obesity.

- This may encourage people blaming the foods for the obesity, therefore a lack of responsibility.

What do you mean? Blaming the food for obesity isn't a lack of control. People choose what they eat.

- How would we decide which products cause obesity?

Foods that have been consistently shown to cause obesity through peer reviewed research.

- A tax would punish successful businesses for providing products that people want.

You could say that about cigarettes. You could also say that banning some drugs prevents some people from opening successful businesses. Same for firearm trade.

- Obesity is not just caused by consumption of such products

It is caused mostly by it, and if it isn't then it's usually caused by disorders that increase people's appetites. The only way for you to become fat is to consume more food than you need. Your body can't grow without having any energy input.

Reply 11

Orthonym

I am skinny because of my fast metabolism, but I generally eat healthily too. I would say I eat somewhat lower than average quantities of junk food compared to your standard uk citizen. Being healthy is an interest of mine, I think I eat an acceptable amount of junk food compared to some other people. I am open to ideas that would encourage obese people who eat too much junk food to be more healthy. But if someone is relatively healthy, why should they also have to pay more too. Of course, you can't have a tax that only applies to obese people. I would just say another approach is needed.

Reply 12

Henry_Tudor

Why tax people on eating fatty foods the vast majority of healthy slim people eat them too!

Just get fat people off their arses and get them to go some exercise!

Reply 13

Bridget Jones

Original post by tengentoppa

It's already been dried in other countries and it did not work. You can be fat without eating unhealthy food and you can be healthy and eat fatty food.

"Dried"? I know, you meant tried, don't worry! Yes, how do you propose we overcome this problem then?

Original post by ipoop

This! And make nakd bars cheaper! :fuhrer:

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I agree! Perhaps, a full-on ban on unhealthy foods? It will, of course, be very subjective in deciding what is unhealthy, but what do you think?

Reply 14

The_Dragonborn

Original post by nivvy21

This is, in fact, one of the cons too. Some argue that this will lead us down a route where everything is taxed. But, I fail to see what is wrong with that route?

No, I don't think EVERYTHING should be taxed. That's just stupid.

But foods high in fat and sugar e.g. chocolates, sweets, croissants, deep-fried stuff, crisps, you know. People may say that they'd just gorge on carbs, but I don't think they would - bread and pasta is no replacement for a good chocolate.

Reply 15

username234673

Original post by nivvy21

That is one of the cons too. So, do you suggest we tax people that are not in the healthy BMI or body fat percentage?

No. I'd just rather healthy food was cheaper.

Reply 16

DorianGrayism

Original post by nivvy21

What is there to rethink?

It failed in Denmark. They had a fat tax and were going to introduce a sugar tax. Both were scrapped.

The issue is over-eating not eating "unhealthy" foods. If I am 6ft 5, then drinking whole milk everyday may not be "unhealthy".

It is a long term process. That includes education at school and research into the mechanisms of obesity and addiction.

Reply 17

Bridget Jones

Original post by Dragonfly07

People who are underweight shouldn't eat foods like muffins and McDonalds to gain weight, because it is the unhealthy way to do it. They should gain weight by eating more rice, pasta, etc.

Perhaps they have tried this, but with no avail.

More money into research on the treatment/prevention of obesity.

Agreed.

What do you mean? Blaming the food for obesity isn't a lack of control. People choose what they eat.

You know, I saw that point on a website, but didn't quite understand it myself. I shall read up on it.

Foods that have been consistently shown to cause obesity through peer reviewed research.

Agreed. But, then: does that mean we cut out all foods that have a high percentage of fat, salt and sugar in? If we do, we would only be left with few basic staple foods.

You could say that about cigarettes. You could also say that banning some drugs prevents some people from opening successful businesses. Same for firearm trade.