Is it time to start taxing groceries? Would it help with America's obesity problem?

Question

Plus the revenue could go towards healthcare for obesity related problems.

Answer 1

Fruits, vegetables and other medically deemed "healthy" foods should be tax exempt. Soda, snack foods (processed foods) should have an additional sales tax. That tax should be used for health education and physical education programs in our schools.

And yes, raising the price on a pack of smokes does reduce use.

Answer 2

I pay enough taxes as it is. Our local, state, and federal taxes should be monitored better. I know there is a lot of waste. That money should be used instead of charging more taxes.

Obesity is a national problem for sure but it's because people are lazy and spoiled. I can say that because I'm fat. Obesity can be treated easily with exercise and eating healthy. We need to nip it in the bum before health problems become an issue.

It's up to each individual person to treat the obesity problem. It's not the government's fault or McDonald's fault. It's our own fault. Treating it is as easy as going for a 30 minute walk each day and eating more veggies.

FYI...I personally have gotten tired of being fat and tired. I'm starting to eat right and exercise and love the benefits that come from it. I've lost 9 pounds so far. woohoo

Answer 3

You're either not an American or never go to the grocery store. My state is one of the few that doesn't tax food. Anyway over eating is not the only cause of obesity. Check out article in New York Times
magzine this Sunday http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/magazine/13obesity.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Answer 4

That is a terrible idea. Food is very expensive for most people. Even if you were helping obesity that way you would create more poverty, which would be a bigger problem. The problem is that protein foods like meat are really costly, where as pasta is relatively cheap. Make the right food more affordable and you might be on the right track!!

Answer 5

Putting tax on groceries won't help with the obesity problem. All they would do is search for a cheaper deal somewhere else.

Answer 6

Taxing groceries would not stop America's obesity problem. Raising the prices of cigarettes doesn't stop people from smoking!

Answer 7

In your dreams, On the Federal Level, it will never happen. Some States already do tax food.
Obesity is caused by gluttony, greed and lack of exercise. Look at fast food drive thrus, people sit in long lines and waste gas to buy food that will surly make you fat. Tax that. We also need to tax SUVs at about $600 per year and older V8s, tax them "off" the road.
I would also like to see "soda pop" taken out of the food stamp system. I agree with "vegetables" and "fruits" in coupons that must be used each month. Cut out fat products.
Greed plays a part in that the meat Industry pays Congress off to keep the Food Stamps and Public buying fat products. In other countries many people walk to work and take public transportation. Many in the USA drive the SUVs with one person in each car to the fast food drive thru.
tax that

Answer 8

Obesity is not about taxes!!obesity is a disease and one of the reasons Americans are obese is a lifestyle of fast foods and high fructose corn syrup in everything from soda to candy to presweetened cereal!Sure a lack of control is present but when you feed the hogs a high sugar diet you get weight gain??snacking seems to be most peoples problem?something to stuff in the ol piehole??economics being what they are, fat and sugar are cheap and money makers for the companys that sell them!tax them to offer more sensible food?maybe??more likely not?

Answer 9

its an interesting idea in theory but i'm not sure it would work. would you want to pay more for your groceries just to stop other people from being obese? and even if they did try that, i'm sure they would use the money for anything else besides healthcare

Answer 10

We are already taxed for food, for gas, for phone service for everything but the air we breathe so I don't think it's a good idea. However it would be nice that a bunch of apples would cost less than a case of case of chips. Or bottled water was less expensive than a six pack of beer.