Should fat people be taxed?

[David Black]

There was a program on yesterday suggesting the government should tax fat people given what they cost the state.

Given we tax drinkers, smokers and motorists why not the fat folk?

[gessoo]

A lot of overweight people eat because they are unhappy too. People like you, Wilsonater, can only make things worse for them!

[Plocket]

You are assuming that all fat people are going to drain the NHS whereas in fact some fat people are healthier than so called normal people. And it's all very well suggesting that we tax fat people but that tax, like the tax on ciggies and booze, won't all go direct to the NHS.

So why don't you go the whole hog and ask that we have a system like the Americans where you have to pay for the medical services you use. If you can't afford it then tough - don't waste your money on cigarettes, booze, burgers.....

[gessoo]

Well said Plocket. Thought for food!!

[gessoo]

or even Food for Thought. Gosh I have had a daft day today!!!

[David Black]

My real question was much more economic and aimed at us as a society rather than any individual fat person.

We need a solution to the economic threat that fat people pose to the NHS.

Nobody wins from being fat so I think we should discourage it and penalise any group who don't seem to care what effect it has on the rest of the country.

Few of us willing pay tax to fund other peoples glutinous life choices.

[David Black]

If I drive I pay taxes plus VAT.

If I smoke I pay taxes plus VAT.

If I drink I pay taxes plus VAT.

If I buy a lottery ticket I pay taxes plus VAT.

But if I choose to be fat by gorging myself I pay no taxes and get most of it VAT free.

[beejaybee]

My husband is overweight, but has never been ill. He`s been once to the dr & that was re a cyst on his arm which resulted in 1 nights stay in hospital. He`s only been off work twice for 2 days each time. He had teeth taken out by general anaesthetic which he paid for. He was also off for 2 days with a tummy bug. He`s NEVER claimed any sickness benefit in over 40 years of work.

[gessoo]

David Black. Overweight people do not choose to be overweight are although a few are greedy there are no more greedy fat people than greedy thin people. If you read some of the replies you might see that there are many reasons for being overweight and it's not driven by greed. You are far too simplistic in your thoughts.

As both Helen and myself have indicated some people have to live on cheap food and that is generally high in fat. Others lean on food at a comfort. Some come from families where they have not learned what healthy eating is about and it has now been proved that some are genetically overweight. There are also many more reasons, far too complex to go into here.

I can think of far better ways of saving the NHS some money. Trimming off some of the unnecessary decision makers who might make suggestions like this might be a good idea, for one.

[gessoo]

And David I became overweight because of a hiccup in my metabolic rate after having a life threatening lung condition. I was hardly eating anything!! The doctor confirmed is was a metabolic problem. Fortunately, I have lost a great deal of it and am not terribly overweight now although I would like to be slimmer. I am far from greedy and I resent people who make assumptions without knowing facts.

[khana]

I'm so glad its pick on the fat people time. I was getting bored having to think up witty criticisms of the last type of people that were out of fashion.

NOT all people that are overweight are lazy or spend all their time sucking up the resources of the NHS.

The only fair form of tax in my opinion is income tax, applicable to all people regardless of size, age, gender etc.

As some one has previously posted, if the NHS is underfunded then perhaps it should be looked at and changed. If a bucket is leaky, you can can only fix it so many times before a new one is required.

[gessoo]

I would be greatly in favour of your suggestion Khana, but then the government wouldn't be able to hide up all the hidden taxes we pay out so I doubt if it will happen.

[David Black]

I never said any one was lazy just that fat people eat to much.

Its a calories in against calories out issue.

People choose to eat and it is their own responsibility for the consequences of those choices.

My issue is I don't think everybody else should pick up the bill.

[gessoo]

You are just not listening, David. Fat people do not always eat too much. I have just given you my own case! You obviously do not have enough knowledge of the subject of obesity to make such outright comments.

[David Black]

My pint is that most people who are fat eat too much.

Taxing that behaviour will reduce it.

The fact that some people don't match the general rule is unfortunate but it is the trend towards obesity that needs to be stopped.

[wonderwoman1]

first of all, why is this in food???

secondly, how can you be so narrow-minded?? as 90% of the replies indicate, not all overweight people are a problem to the nhs!! plenty of "skinny" people are a bigger drain on the nhs than overweight people(anorexia, bulimia,boob jobs, etc) how can you be so quick to judge...if it was my job to decide, i would tax the companies themselves...not the people.

i cant actually beleive there are people like you in the world..its quite sickening. just sit and think for a minute on what you are saying. it doesnt make sense!! its like me saying every thin person has an eating disorder, lets tax them before they go to the nhs with their eating problems!!! why do you assume that all overweight people are that way because they eat too much? ever heard of thyroid problems, medication, stress etc?

i am not overweight but my dad is due to thyroid problems. he doesnt sit on his ass all day gorging!!! he is on medication which doesnt help his weight!!!

wooosaaaaaaa.....and relax!!!! lol

[gessoo]

Yes, the trend towards obesity does need to be stopped but not by taxing overweight people! As I said before, it's education that's needed and it will take a long time. By all means, as I said before, make junk food more expensive, and make healthy food more affordable.

I don't think you are living in the real world or really thought very hard about your question.

[shaneystar2]

I think you have missed your vocation ..you would have done well in Nazi Germany.
I was a bit overweight for a while in spite of the fact that I am not a glutton and do not eat junk food but didn't realise it was due to a thyroid problem which our wonderful NHS has now sorted for me and my weight is going down with support from my GP practice.
I have a nephew who has Prader-Willi syndrome ...what would you like done about that ....have him shot because he's using up NHS resources.
If you had a fatter brain you could be dangerous.