Today marks a monumental step in global health, using money as a weapon against the crisis of obesity. In the past, “sin tax” has been heavily associated with alcohol and tobacco, but starting today in Demark, it will also begin to include a “fat tax” on staple items like butter, ground beef, and other saturated fats. Overall, the government is levying a tax of 2.5 Euros per kilogram of saturated fat, or $1.60 per pound. Because this is the first time a ”fat tax” has been levied, new data is expected to arise from this to see whether this rise in the cost of fats will make an impact in combating obesity like the “sin tax” has been effective against cigarette consumption.
Obesity is an ever growing concern, as the WHO announces that since 1980, worldwide obesity has more than doubled. The total number of those who are overweight is 1.5 billion, which is about 22% of the entire world population. This disease of obesity is also highly correlated with some of the world’s most deadly diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and the list goes on.
The newly instated “fat tax” is now taking a new, passive route in targeting this preventable disease. If it is proved to be successful, it will be much easier to pass laws globally that will increase the price of obesity causing foods, rather than trying to make health outreach initiatives that reach the global population. On the flip side, this could just negatively impact the economy and drive the prices of other goods up as well. To see the effectiveness of this approach, we will have to wait several years for results.
The article can be found here: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/110930/denmark-health-fat-tax
Initiating a “fat tax” is a great way to prevent the increasing numbers of obesity. By attempting to mold people into healthy lifestyles with the tax, the government is showing its concern for the health of the people. Putting a stop to this noncommunicable disease will directly reduce the number of cases of those affected with associated diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although this new tax may not be welcomed by the people of Denmark, its purpose will greatly benefit the populations.
ReplyDeleteA "fat tax" does sound like a good strategy to lower obesity. It may cause families that normally buy ground beef to pick leaner cuts of meat to feed their family. Also, it may lead to an increase in cooking oils, or other methods of cooking that use less fat (steaming/boiling?) which could lead to a shift in a country's cuisine.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things to consider though. For example, a measurement of people being overweight is very sketchy because a person could be 250lbs of fat or 250lbs of muscle. One is very unhealthy, while the other (while probably odd to look at) is not; however, both are considered overweight.
“Fat tax” look like is a new plan for prevent people from obesity. The most important thing is people should know how to choose their foods in order stay health. Taxing is an effective way to control people’s weight. People usually care money more than other things. Fat tax hit the nail on the head. Fast-paced life should be responsible for the abuse of fast food, especially high fat food. But fast food doesn’t necessarily mean high fat food. Take the Chinese food for example, many kinds of Chinese food are able to be taken away, but they are healthier.
ReplyDeleteDenmark’s fat tax appears to be a good idea to increase the health of citizens to make healthier food choices, but it’s the opposite. Increasing the price of food during a recession is a bad idea. Also, the taxing will influence poor people to buy cheaper and unhealthier food. This would increase obesity, which is the opposite of the intended effect.
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