Would you impose a Fat Tax?
Obesity is a big problem for the NHS. It costs the NHS £4 Billion a year, however within 4 years that number is expected to rise to £6.2 Billion
This figure that David Cameron and the Department of health are referring to corresponds with the 'NHS cost of elevated BMI'
In America the consequences of obesity cost US health care nearly $150 billion
We also need to realise that obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, several kinds of cancer, artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic back pain and hypertension. Shall I go on?
Many of these diseases are chronic in nature, therefore requiring lifelong complex and expensive procedures, frequent medical specialist consultations and emergency interventions.
This shows that it is becoming increasingly clear that due to the substantial cost obesity presents to society, individual choices that might need to excessive weight gain, can no longer be considered as solely individual in nature.
SOOOO
The government is legitimate in its action to introduce a form of 'fat tax' in as a deterrent and to cover the cost that obese people are responsible for
This figure that David Cameron and the Department of health are referring to corresponds with the 'NHS cost of elevated BMI'
In America the consequences of obesity cost US health care nearly $150 billion
We also need to realise that obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, several kinds of cancer, artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic back pain and hypertension. Shall I go on?
Many of these diseases are chronic in nature, therefore requiring lifelong complex and expensive procedures, frequent medical specialist consultations and emergency interventions.
This shows that it is becoming increasingly clear that due to the substantial cost obesity presents to society, individual choices that might need to excessive weight gain, can no longer be considered as solely individual in nature.
SOOOO
The government is legitimate in its action to introduce a form of 'fat tax' in as a deterrent and to cover the cost that obese people are responsible for
Scroll to see replies
Just too add.
If I was Prime minister I would impose this fat tax
If I was Prime minister I would impose this fat tax
Thee, I ask in turn... would you also impose a stupid tax?
I'll probably be biased, but I'd say yes.
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer
(probably makes me look horrible now 
)
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer
(probably makes me look horrible now )Original post by robthehero
Thee, I ask in turn... would you also impose a stupid tax?
Is thee trying to mock thy proposition?
And that is a stupid idea
Original post by Placeboo123
I'll probably be biased, but I'd say yes.
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer (probably makes me look horrible now )
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer
(probably makes me look horrible now )yay
If the govt gains revenue from obesity what's gonna motivate them to try and stop the problem afterwards? And then how is the govt gonna deal with the insane amount of angry people that will cause them grief as a result?
Fat people get enough grief as it is, we don't need to start charging them as well.
Fat people get enough grief as it is, we don't need to start charging them as well.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by DanielBaranowski
Is thee trying to mock thy proposition?
And that is a stupid idea
And that is a stupid idea
Art thou not familiar with the constructions of Early Modern English?
Perhaps I should tax thee...
Original post by Retired_Messiah
If the govt gains revenue from obesity what's gonna motivate them to try and stop the problem afterwards? And then how is the govt gonna deal with the insane amount of angry people that will cause them grief as a result?
Fat people get enough sh*t as it is, we don't need to start charging them as well.
Fat people get enough sh*t as it is, we don't need to start charging them as well.
Taxpayers pay for the NHS, so in effect obese people are charging the population £4 billion
Original post by robthehero
Art thou not familiar with the constructions of Early Modern English?
Perhaps I should tax thee...
Perhaps I should tax thee...
Original post by Placeboo123
I'll probably be biased, but I'd say yes.
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer (probably makes me look horrible now )
Not only to obesity, but similar problems which put the government at extra expenses such as smoking.
Probably crazy as certain things may not be easily controlled and individuals may be hard to assess in different cases, but yah is my answer
(probably makes me look horrible now )um, smokers already pay a lot in tax.
Original post by DanielBaranowski
Taxpayers pay for the NHS, so in effect obese people are charging the population £4 billion
That hasn't answered any of the issues I've raised. Gr8 response m8 I rate 8/8
What you've just said though... if the fat people pay tax for being fat they are then also paying for the NHS, thus in effect paying for their treatment. So could you just make this less complicated and make fat people not be covered by the NHS for illnesses related to their obesity, rather than making it a source of revenue for the government? Would eliminate one of the issues I raised in my original post at least...
This is a problem that I get pretty mad about but unfortunately we just can't implement something that like. We have to look towards other ways to helping people lose weight, although I agree with a previous poster that monetary rewards aren't a solution either. The fact is that all these chronic diseases and health problems are things everyone is aware of and by logic should be enough of a deterrent. But the problem goes deeper than that. We should be punishing fast food brands and suppliers of the most unhealthy foods that capitalise on this instead of the (most often poorer) people that buy them and fall into the trap.
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Original post by OU Student
um, smokers already pay a lot in tax.
Well they should pay more
Original post by DanielBaranowski
Taxpayers pay for the NHS, so in effect obese people are charging the population £4 billion
I remember reading that 25% of people are obese in the UK so a lot of them obese people would have paid towards their NHS care through their taxes?
I think the problem here is that you could potentially start taxing anything that is bad for your health why do you not mention taxing smokers,drinkers,drug addicts,people who don't exercise, people who don't sleep enough, people who work in dangerous industries,people who watch too much TV etc etc there are loads of ways you can do bad things to your health and cost the NHS money and potentially the police also(drinkers).
Why shouldn't we try to start solving the problem of why people become obese instead of taxing?A lot of being fat/obese is linked to genetics and the background you grew up in as well and it can be due to depression/stress from work.
Original post by OU Student
um, smokers already pay a lot in tax.
Clearly the tax in the product itself isn't enough.
Yes I would. Fat bastards.
Original post by Placeboo123
Clearly the tax in the product itself isn't enough.
The tax is currently at 77% (http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_121.pdf). The issue is addiction, not the price of the product.
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