eDiets.com reserves the right to delete any comments we deem inappropriate.
Will A Fat Tax Catch On?
Like the post? Add Your Comments | Digg This Post! |
Adding a tax to discourage unhealthy habits is not new. Cigarettes and alcohol products have incurred additional taxes so as to encourage more healthy living, so why not impose a tax on those fatty foods also identified as being unhealthy? Common sense, concludes researchers at Oxford University, would show that such a move would reduce consumer demand and in turn save lives. However, both the study and its opponents fear a “Fat Tax” would impact lower income families the greatest by raising average house hold bills. When it comes to promoting healthy living in your community, where do you draw the line?
Jerri, DTR
Nutrition Specialist
"You never know what you can do, unless you try"
what they really need to do is make fresh foods cheaper, like produce and meats, so that its easier/ more cost effective to make healthy choices.
Why can't farmers' markets be established near poor neighborhoods so that those with transportation issues can get to the farmer's markets for fresh produce?? This might help us all to eat more healthful foods.. Some cities have small markets on major road arteries (with their accompanying neighborhoods) into the city business district to encourage more business.
If people want to eat fatty foods they will regardless of the tax involved. I haven't noticed people "not" buying cigarettes or alcohol products if they choose to do so. For instance, if I need gas for my car, I will buy the gas regardless of the "price per gallon". I feel this "Fat Tax" will place stress on low-income families and/or single-parent families who can't afford the higher priced low fat foods, i.e. low-fat ground beef. There must be another way----we can start with educating the public, getting community involvement, etc. A "Fat Tax" is not the answer---there are more people (adults and children) who are overweight than cigerettes smokers or alcohol drinkers.
Health News Blog is powered by eDiets.com
RSS/XML
