Fat Tax. Good Or Bad?

[youngmafbog]

I am in two minds about this. On the one hand it cannot be denied there is a big problem and one that could easily break the NHS as we know it. On the other hand I dislike this knee jerk reaction to tax everything, particularly from a so called Tory Government (Although we all know Mr & Mrs Johnson are really Greens).

I wonder if Bunter will just stick his Mars Bars on the expenses, and I wonder if the taxes will apply to the Commons Bar?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9789215/Boris-Johnsons-food-tsar-urges-UK-introduce-worlds-tax-sugary-salty-food.html

[andy-hughes]

No-one responds well to being punished by the state for enjoying something.

You can't tax people out of bad behaviour, you can only educate them.

[dannyk13]

The problem is that if you tax these foodstuffs it will not only hit the obese but it will also hit those who buy these items who eat sensibly and are not overweight.

[Untitled]

I agree with andy hughes… it seems wrong to tax every little bit of enjoyment in life… there doesn’t seem to be much more we can do about people becoming obese...I don’t think it happens out of ignorance. Everybody knows what happens if you eat lots of sugar and fat.

[burlyshirley]

When did the nanny state start and when is it going to end ???

[dannyk13]

Shirley //When did the nanny state start and when is it going to end ???//
When hell freezes over, or when people learn to look after themselves.

[ummmm]

Bad idea. I eat very well so why should I be taxed on the odd treat.

[bobbinwales]

//When did the nanny state start and when is it going to end ???//
Started before we were born and will allways be. Cigarette duties and alcahol have been around all my life. One persons nanny state is another persons responsible caring state. Some people need a financial stick or carrot to modify behaviour

[bobbinwales]

// why should I be taxed on the odd treat.//
well if its the odd treat it wont cost you much. Its aimed at those who eat far too much and cause problems for themselves and the state, but unfortunately there often the ones that wouldnt eat healthy if you offered free salads and veg, theyd reach for a can of coke and crisps instead without looking at the cost

[naomi24]

I don’t believe people are uneducated about food but I do think many have a kind of love affair with it. You only have to look at the ‘What’s for dinner today’ threads on here to see how some people worship food. We’ve been getting advice from all quarters for years but enjoying food to the extent that health is put at risk is an attitude of mind. Overweight people know that their choices are making them fat - but still they choose to do it. No one can force them to stop. All the government can do is try to deter them.

[ummmm]

It's not just food. It's inactivity as well.

[naomi24]

// why should I be taxed on the odd treat.//

That is what I'm talking about. Why is any food regarded as a 'treat'. If you were hungry it would be a treat - a real bonus in fact - but you're not so it's just food.

[Untitled]

Some foods are definitely treats! Nobody eats chocolate cake or biscuits just for nourishment do they? They are made for pleasure.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // Overweight people know that their choices are making them fat - but still they choose to do it. //

I disagree.

I am sure you would concede that there is a measurable link between obesity and poorer social and ecconomic stratas of society.

People at the lower end of the social, ecconomic, and intellignce meaures of modern society simply do not make the link between what they eat and drink, and the effect it has on them physcially and mentally.

I believe they simply lack the mental capacity to think those links through, and lack even more the incentives or inclination to adust their diets accordingly.

That is why I believe that a punitive tax system, which can only be rooted in the rather mean-spirited superiority of upper classes who deem the lower classes to stupid to help themselves, is a backwards step.

I can only repeat my assertion, that education is the way to society improving the way it eats and drinks.

A good start would be tbe reintroduction of what used to be known as 'domestic science' in schools.

Teach children before they reach adulthood, that a properly balanced diet is not only less expensive, it is entirely beneficial, and you can eradicate obesity within two generations.

It won't happen, becuase the essence of politics is short-termism - ministers want 'results' they can see before the next election, not planning for the greater good over the longer term.

Education - expensive, budget-draining, long-term.

Taxation - revnue-providing, appearence of 'action' and short-term non-lasting 'results'.

Which one appeals to the modern politician?

Answers on a postcard ...

[douglas9401]

Revenue raising dressed up as a health issue.

It's what shameless, workshy and otherwise useless politicians and their lapdogs live for. The easy mark.

[ummmm]

Naomi - It's like having a takeaway. That's a treat. It means you don't have to cook and washing up is minimal.

Sometimes I crave something sweet, but it's rare and my little piggy kids know where I keep my stash. They can't believe I can buy a bag of sweets and only eat 2 or 3.

[naomi24]

No, they don't eat cakes for nourishment. That's the point.

I know someone who cooks without fat or salt, always lean meat or fish and steamed vegetables or plain salad... and then follows it up with a selection of cakey desserts served with cream - because 'you've got to have your treats'. There's nothing she doesn't know about healthy eating but she's been on a diet for about 40 years - and she's still fat.

[andy-hughes]

douglas - // Revenue raising dressed up as a health issue. //

Indeed - the perfect double whammy - more money and the appearence of doing something to help people.

Of course, only one of those actually works, but it's the more important one, so that's a result!!

[naomi24]

//They can't believe I can buy a bag of sweets and only eat 2 or 3.//

I do that, Ummmm. It's the people who eat the whole lot who have the problem - but what I'm saying is they know they're doing it. They're not ignorant. they just like it.
.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // There's nothing she doesn't know about healthy eating but she's been on a diet for about 40 years - and she's still fat. //

Does your friend exercise?

I would have thought a with that diet, a brisk twenty-minute walk five times a week would see her weight drop off dramatically.

[Peter Pedant]

foo ! read Tax 101
taxes where do they come from, where do they go? ( thx to JKGalbraith)

The use of taxes - that is chap (3 I think )on Taxes what are they for - what do they do?

Taxes can change or limit consumption - first tried on the taxation of gin 1750 to limit consumption. ( drunk for a penny, dead drunk for tuppence - dat one)

and shown again with the tax on plazzie bags - cut consumption by 90% innit? so I imagine they are trying it again

so what was the q again?
I wonder if Bunter will just stick his Mars Bars on the expenses, and I wonder if the taxes will apply to the Commons Bar?

foo yeah - if it is 6d ( six-punts) and it cost 4d to make ( er profit 6-4 = 2d, calculators NOT allowed !) - and now less shug shug so costs 3d to make now
what is the new profit? - 3d up from 2 d
good for the chancellor and good for the producer ( cadburys that is) and good for YOU

thank you for reading - ( you may now foo and whine)