Categories: uncategorized
Date: 19 February 2004 10:26:09
"Downing Street declares war on obesity" The Times
"Fat tax on burgers proposed" The Guardian
'Fat tax' to tackle obesity The Telegraph
I grew up in a country where the simplest things were legislated for us...what to read, what to watch, who you could have in your home, employ, educate. So excuse me if I find the concept of the Nanny State a little difficult to deal with. How can an enlightened government feel that the best way to help people is to legislate, legislate, legislate?
I have a problem with the proposed new tax on "Fatty Foods". The premise is this: according to a paper called "Personal Responsibility and Changing Behaviour", the number of obese people has risen from less than 10 per cent of the British population in the 80's to more than 20 per cent. Therefore people who are clueless about nutrition are costing the government millions in healthcare and apparently need to be curbed. Or something.
I guess you'd like to know what's on the target list for food that "ought" to be taxed (yes, higher than the usual 17.5%) for the benefit of the "more than twenty per cent"- which, may I just point out, is still far less than the majority thank you very much.
The list includes not only Mars bars, ice cream and pizza, but your every day dairy products. Butter. Cheese. Full-fat milk.
Why am I so wound up by this? Because, your honours, I know about good nutrition. I know that you'd get fat eating three Twix's a day, washed down with Coca Cola and a side of Chips and Pizza. So I don't.
I am also wound up by this because I resent having to pay extra for full-fat yoghurt and butter. These are everyday, non-processed foods. Can these people be serious? Here's an idea- it's free this time- for Westminster. TOP UP fees. Yes...all those who are struggling with keeping the weight off can give their hard-earned cash to those of us who need to keep it on.
Honestly.