References:

BMI Calculator. (2013). Retrieved May 10, 2013, from Heart Foundation New Zealand: http://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/healthy-living/losing-weight/bmi-calculator

Brownel, K. D., & Frieden, T. R. (2009, April 30). Ounces of Prevention — The Public Policy Case for Taxes on Sugared Beverages. Retrieved May 06, 2013, from Yale Rudd Center: http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/industry/SodaTaxNEJMApr09.pdf

Cost of Obesity. (2012, December 11). Retrieved May 5, 2013, from The University of Auckland: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/news/template/news_item.jsp?cid=535144

Denmark introduces world's first food fat tax. (2011, October 1). Retrieved May 5, 2013, from BBC News Europe: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15137948

Eriksen, A. (2009, July 14). Kiwis third fattest in new obesity report. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from New Zealand Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10584289

Falkenstein, T. (2011, December 27). Sugar tax best way to fight obesity. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from The New Zealand Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775349

Mytton, O., Gray, A., Rayner, M., & Rutter , H. (2007, August). Could targeted food taxes improve health? Retrieved May 10, 2013, from National Center for Biotechnology Information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652984/

Obesity: the facts. (2004). Retrieved May 11, 2013, from Fight the Obesity Epidemic: http://foe.org.nz/obesity-the-facts/

Obesity Questions and Answers. (2011, December 06). Retrieved May 05, 2013, from Ministry of Health: http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/obesity/obesity-questions-and-answers

OECD Health Data 2012- How Does New Zealand Compare. (2013, January 16). Retrieved May 05, 2013, from OECD: http://www.oecd.org/newzealand/BriefingNoteNEWZEALAND2012.pdf

The Result. (2013, March 27). Retrieved April 28, 2013, from 3NEWS: http://www.3news.co.nz/The-Vote-The-result/tabid/1788/articleID/292015/Default.aspx

The Vote: Is it time to tax unhealthy food? (2013, March 27). Retrieved April 28, 2013, from 3NEWS: http://www.3news.co.nz/The-Vote-Is-it-time-to-tax-unhealthy-food/tabid/1788/articleID/292014/Default.aspx

For brief 2, I will be discussing if we should tax unhealthy, so-called Junk Food.

I am all for the idea of taxing junk food. Sure we shouldn't be told what to do by the government and pay more bucks for what we love to eat! But with the increased amount of health problems caused by the over consumption of so-called junk food, it is time to take an action.

In this brief I would like to discuss what Junk food should be covered by this tax, potential benefits of this tax and the example from other countries. Healthy food and vegetables are often expensive. What if we used the tax to make them less expensive?

The very topic was discussed on Channel 3 show "The Vote (26 March 2013) and there, you can view the full debate on the video or read the transcript.(Unfortunately I couldn't find it on youtube and the website does not let you copy the video for free!) The result from the public voting was 54% YES and 45% NO to taxing on junk food. Not only the result but the debate that took place in the program shows how debatable this topic really is.

So, what are you eating today?

References:

The Result. (2013, March 27). Retrieved April 28, 2013, from 3NEWS: http://www.3news.co.nz/The-Vote-The-result/tabid/1788/articleID/292015/Default.aspx

Should we tax on junk food?

Monday, 25 March 2013

References

References:

Introduction: Let's tax junk food!