Often or not, healthy meals are more expensive than ready-made meals. Some may say, not everyone can afford to eat healthily and that taxing on junk food would bring the cost of living higher for those in the low income class. Brownell and Frieden in their journal stated that to make this less burdensome, the revenue from the tax can be used to subsidise the price of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits.
How else can the tax help us? The report from Fight the Obesity Epidemic(FOE) outlines that the revenue from the tax would provide funds for the following;
1. Medical obesity prevention
2. Medical treatment for obesity and obesity related illness such as diabetes
3. Major public awareness campaigns and education to encourage consumers to have balanced diet
As I wrote in my last post "How fat are we?", obesity costs New Zealand between NZ$722 million and
NZ$849million a year in healthcare and loss of productivity. With the introduction of junk food tax, not only it may discourage us to eat unhealthy food but to help us understand what we should eat to avoid ending up under the medical care.
References:
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
Obesity: the facts. (2004). Retrieved
May 11, 2013, from Fight the Obesity Epidemic:
http://foe.org.nz/obesity-the-facts/
Hi Emma, Really well done,i think you have hit the nail on the head here about the point i made before "Major public awareness campaigns and education to encourage consumers to have balanced diet"
ReplyDeleteHi I have read your blog and it is one of the interesting topics currently being debated. I would argue that it should be the companies who manufacture or serve the junk food that should pay the tax, rather than the consumer. It would make them more accountable and it would be an option for them to step up to the plate and make healthier options like your suggestion below:
ReplyDeleteSome might say "Hamburgers are junk food", but what if we made the hamburger healthy with tofu patties and less fat?
For example: there is a popular Korean pancake shop across from the central library that states on a sign, that they use a healthy type of cooking oil. Maggi over the last few years have changed the way they made their instant noodles by opting for a healthier version. Also just to note, obesity can be caused by other factors such as a thyroid problem, cortisol levels, medications and so on.
Totally Agree Franz, I guess there has to be a clearer definition of what healthy is becasue if you look at stuff like powerade etc which is marketed as a healthy sports drinks, its actually not it contains insance levels of sugar etc
ReplyDeleteYep I agree. Powerade, Up and GO, flavored water etc they are all full of unheard of chemicals but marketed to seem like its healthy drinks.
DeleteHealthy isotonic drink alternative= Organic coconut water :)
Thanks Mike, I feel that food outlets like restaurants, takeaways, cafes and so on should adopt a 'duty of care' towards their customers because without their customers, they would not be able to stay in business. Also as you stated manufacturers put far too much salt and suger in their products and often people are'nt aware of this when they eg; drink a can of coke. Imagine if unhealthy food eg: the burger you just ordered came with packaging similiar to cigarette packaging - with a health warning and accompanying graphic images similiar to cigarette packaging. You would want to think twice about what you're ordering: "A heart attack with diabetes and throw in high blood pressure" I can understand convenience is a big part of why many people eat fast food is because they're busy with work, study and other activites etc, they're in a hurry and don't always have time to cook.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading all of the comments! I don't think that we should tax on junk food as we are assuming that everyone eats junk food regularly. I think in America the obesity rates are horrendous! However I think people instead should be promoting eating in moderation, as junk food in moderation is not necessarily really bad for us. There are people who take eating junk food to the extreme, but what about the people being taxed for having their takeaway night every once in a while? I agree with the health warnings and images Franz. However, junk food for some people is as addictive as cigarettes, most smokers do not think twice before buying another packet.
ReplyDeleteMy belief is that everything in moderation, these days everything is bad for you.. We should all be promoting eating in moderation, then we should not have to tax junk food. I do see your stance on the issue and can also see how you have this view. Good blog!!
Thank you all for your awesome comments whether you are for or against my argument. It is fascinating reading everyone's comments :)
ReplyDeleteI have this view as in the past, I ate junk food everyday, smoked lots and lots of cigarettes and drunk a lot of alcohol. I also manage a restaurant and have been doing so for several years, and see people eat everyday. As a result of my eating habit, I ended up at the doctor. After blood tests and other tests, I had to visit nutritionists for a year. That was a very expensive year. But, it was partially subsidized by the government, namely tax.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I did not gain weight, but I was not healthy. I am a vegetarian now and happy the way I am now.
I can only speak from my experience and all the readings I did prior to writing this blog. IF eating in "moderation" works for everyone, we would not be talking about how we are the third fattest country. I feel that it's too late for the country to say "Don't tell me what to do. We'll eat junk food in moderation". We need the money to promote and educate healthy eating for those that do not know how to eat in moderation.
Anyhow, Thank you all again for commenting on my blog:) What are you all eating for your lunch today?