Chocolate Tax

[Julnar]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_an d_west/7938282.stm
Should we tax the fatties? Is this really a health concern or just some middle class doctor bashing working/under class people?

[sixpence]

The doctor thinks that chocolate should be taxed in the same way as alcohol!! There's not much evidence of that stopping the drinkers, is there.

[anotheoldgit]

Not just chocolate,

Perhaps it would be better to tax the amount of calories a product has?

A kind of calorie intake tax?

Don't give the bu**ers anymore ideas.

[sandmaster]

Chocolate already has VAT levied.
I think we should ban everyone from eating or drinking anything except food and drink supplied by prescription. That should keep the docs happy.
Oh yes - ban being happy.

[ludwig]

Not sure why this is news really. If someone in government or high up in the NHS had said it, then that might be vaguely interesting. As it is the story is simply 'Unknown GP says something stupid'.

[youngmafbog]

Bet McBottle has drafted it into next budget already.

Not sure how you equate chocolate with class ??

[Julnar]

Well, Ludwig it was considerate newsworthy enough for Radio 4 and BBC news, so it'll do for me.

[Julnar]

youngmabof, the obese are usually from the working/underclass and I fancied stirring things up a bit, but you are right really, it is a tenuous link at best.

[bednobs]

wouldn't it be better to incentivise healthy eating by making healthier food cheaper?

[flip_flop]

I don't see why the fat shouldn't be taxed - have a special 'fat-tax' on KFC, McSh1te etc..., so that those who eat this type of 'food' regularly, and they are almost invariably fat, end up paying more.

As many people argue that smokers are taxed to pay for their treatment on the NHS, then why shouldn't the fat be taxed for their treatment as well.

It is well documented that smoking affects health, and therefore they are more likely to need the services of the NHS than a non-smoker, but it is also well documented that fat people are likely to need the services of the NHS for illnesses directly attributable to their obesity.

Seems fair to me.

[flip_flop]

Don't get me wrong, I like a KFC and a Doner just as much as the next man.......as a treat, not a staple.

[Kathyan]

The doctors have voted against it anway!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_an d_west/7938282.stm

[ludwig]

Julnar, yes, I was really questioning why the random thoughts of some obscure GP were being so widely reported, not having a pop at you asking the question about it.

It's a stupid idea because he's singled out eating chocolate. There are all sorts of things people do that cause them to end up in hospital, including playing football - why should we single out chocolate eaters for special attention?