Is it time to introduce a fat tax?

[Blah11]

Well good, things like this should be taxed because it contributes to an already stretched NHS. People moan about the NHS and long waiting times etc etc but when a new idea comes about to help with the budget everyone moans about that too You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

 

[oOKayOo]

Why dont they lower the cost of healthy foods!? I pay stupid amount weekly on freash fruits , a punnet of Blueberries can range from £4! And the punnets are stupidly small.

However i do agree on rising fatty foods in tax and this is speaking from a fatty i would think twice weather to buy that chocolate bar!

Mind you fizzy drinks ill be pissed at as im addicted to Diet Coke ( Not joking around i actaully am) so i need this daily otherwise i get very bad headaches etc i dont want that to go up in price for selfish reasons

 

[buttonnose82]

see i have no issue with trying to get the country out of debt and improving the NHS, i just don't think they should raise tax on fatty foods and pretend it's to tackle obesity (when they have just withdrawn funding to healthy eating campaign), it's just a 'hiddden' tax increase, people want honesty

 

[Blah11]

I think it's probably a two edged sword

 

[buttonnose82]

I think it's probably a two edged sword

agreed

 

[Drazic<3]

I find it really hard to afford fruit and veg - as I lost my job, but am still living off savings I am not entitled to any healthy start vouchers, ect. It's cheaper for us to get tins, than veggies! But we do get veggies and just eat them with cheapo frozen stuff, or have pasta ect... not ideal, but doable.

Personally, I think they should tax junkie food, and I am a greedy face! BUT - this Government will probably use the money to buy gold cars for the rich (sarcasm!) rather than put it actually back into the NHS.

 

[buttonnose82]

oh can you imagine the tax & insurance on a car of gold! ..... and miles to the gallon would be AWFUL due the the weight of the thing ........

 

[Drazic<3]

Sad thing is, I am so common, it was the poshest, most extravagant thing I could think of, when ultimately, it would be shite!

 

[buttonnose82]

Sad thing is, I am so common, it was the poshest, most extravagant thing I could think of, when ultimately, it would be shite!

hunny you make me giggle

 

[Drazic<3]

^

 

[Kitten]

I blame ASDA for our obesity problems lol. Everyday I see their stupid adverts for how mysupermarket found they had a billion cheaper foods than other supermarkets but you walk in there and it's wall to wall junk for £1 or less. I do shop at ASDA for certain things but when I picture ASDA in my mind, I see neon lights and junk food whereas somewhere like Tesco I just see a shop. I don't know what it is, I love how cheap ASDA can be but when you actually look at the figures, it's all stuff like ready meals, chocolate, sweets etc. whereas things like pasta, rice, and so on are actually dearer than places like Tesco.

 

[TeresaG]

I don't know if they should put a tax on junk food or not. In some ways I think it would be a good idea as it my put people off buying it. But then there are people like myself who do buy junk food or chocolate as an occasional treat and we would be penalised too. I try to eat reasonably healthy but I like a takeaway occasionally or some fizzy pop or chocolate.

I find that fruit and veg can be quite expensive. It doesn't seem to be on offer as much as the junk food is. If you go to the supermarket the offers at the ends of the aisles are normally for something unhealthy like sweets or chocolate.

I think it is important to educate people to eat healthily rather than tax people. Those that want to live on junk food know that it isn't good for them and that is their choice. I don't think just sticking a tax on it will stop them buying it.

 

[indy and lara]

I do not approve of putting any more of a tax burden on people. We already pay VAT on many 'unhealthy' items. We all know the NHS is stretched but perhaps the necessiy of so many managerial posts needs to be considered before we put yet more tax onto certain foods. Neither OH or I smoke and we rarely drink but we do both like a choccie biscuit and a bar of chocolate as a treat. Neither of us are overweight and we both go to the gym. Under this system we would be penalised for a problem we are not creating.

A balanced diet does not consist solely of fruit and veg but a balance of all food groups. Not eating anything in excess and taking regular exercise, whatever that is, will keep most of us healthy. It isn't really rocket science. Parents also need to take some responsibility for teaching their children about healthy living, leading by example and showing them how to cook. On one hand we hear that it is the schools' job to teach kids to cook but then when schools step in and take over some of these roles they are seen to be part of the nanny state. The phrase damned if you do comes into my mind...

 

[daniellelk]

I think noo :/

My OH will only drink can's of pepsi or Cola!! :/ he's like a stick aswel. If I had the diet he had i'd be huge.