The fat tax is a hot subject the last decade. It is the result of the rising obesity rates, an increase of lifestyle diseases and recessionary conditions since 2009.
In the state of New York we discovered an unbelievable $7.6 billion in obesity-related medical bills, this was covered by tax-payers. The governor David Patterson is convinced that it is necessary to include the ‘fat-tax’ in the 2010 budget.
In this role, the soft drink industry is a big player. The sweets are prompted together with cigarettes and alcohol, which is a connection that the American Beverage Association is against.
The tax proposed for New York would include all beverages that “contain more than ten calories per eight ounces, such as soda, sports drinks, ‘energy’ drinks, colas, fruit or vegetable drinks containing less than 70% natural fruit or vegetable juice, and bottled coffee or tea”. The effect will be a price increase of approximately a penny per ounce for each bottled beverage.
You have people who are strongly in favor (especially health specialists and law-makers) and others who don’t believe in the idée. Those in favor say the tax will reduce the whole public cost health care and otherwise the system will improve the lives of those ones who are sizeable. On the other hand we have the people who don’t believe in the idée and are pointing to the flop of the ‘sin tax’ on alcohol and cigarettes. It made some people poorer and the government more invasive.
We also refer to a study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine that seems to support the opinions of those in favor of the fat tax. There was a study of the University of North Carolina where they reviewed the dietary habits of 5,115 young adults, age 18 to 30, starting in 1985 to 1986 and continuing through 2005 to 2006. The meaning was to determine if the relationship between the price of fatty foods and especially drinks have an effect on the Body Mass Index of the persons involved.
The study concluded, “National, state or local policies have to change the price of less healthful foods and beverages because it may be one possible mechanism for steering U.S. adults towards a more healthful diet”.
I think that a ‘fat tax’ will be a good solution in the struggle against the big health care costs and especially if we look at the peoples who need it. They have to choose between the choice of being unhealthy or poor. It is an endless discussion.
By Karen Mechelinck - 2 FV 4
Source: http://www.americanconsumernews.com/the-fat-tax-a-way-to-a-healthier-america-or-a-poorer-one.html - March 10th 2010
It seems to me that it’s very difficult to change consumer habits. So I don’t think that the consumers will eat or drink healthier by feeding in a ‘fat tax’. It will only make the government richer and the people poorer.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBut I’m convinced that there are definitely measures needed to fight against the lifestyle diseases.