Do you think governments should introduce calorie tax on food?

Question

People are dying of illnesses from over eating.Partly to do with companies filling products with 2 much sugar.If goverments introduced a calorie tax the companies would reduce the sugar in products almost over night.1 billion people in the world are overwieght or obese.800 000 are dying of hunger.They could use the calorie tax to give to the hungry.

Answer 1

This is an interesting question because of the issue it brings up. Part of the obesity problem is due to corn products and sweeteners. Since high fructose corn syrup was added to soft drinks and other foods in 1970, Americans have become more overweight. There is something about this cheap sugar substitute that makes it metabolize faster than sugar even or that makes the body cry for more. Now that you've brought this up, I say good idea, but find the ingredients such as this one, and cut their farm subsidies. Americans don't like direct taxes you know, it's been that way ever since the Stamp Act and Boston Tea Party.

Answer 2

This idea has been posed, but the problem is that it's inherently unfair (and even ridiculous). It's not actually the calories that's hurting people, it's the fact that they don't exercise and work off the calories. It's not up to the government to tax the people into "health" -- people would wind up eating whatever had the lowest caloric value (moreso that they do already), and foods with almost no calories don't usually have that much nutritional value, either.

Answer 3

The high taxes on cigarettes haven't stopped people from smoking and that includes teens who are new at it despite the warnings. I think a tax on caloric food would just make people poorer. Perhaps if the good stuff like fruit, vegetables, and organic food were cheaper, people wouldn't have to make such a choice.

Answer 4

Screw that, people have a choice on what they want to eat. They should be disciplined enough no to eat themselves into an early grave. If they would take the initiative to get off their butts and exercise and stop eating out 7 days a week, they probably would be overweight. I work out 5 days a week, and i decide that i want a hamburger I shouldn't have to pay extra for it. You want to put a higher tax on something, how about cigaretts or weapons.

Answer 5

Ridiculous. Ludicrous. The last thing we need is the government regulating how many calories we take in. next they will determine what we can and cannot eat and begin food rationing based on what they think we should eat.

Answer 6

Its an interesting idea, but why won't you just let people do what they want to their bodies. Youl intialize a calorie tax and start a black market overnight.

Its harsh but you can't really cure hunger, just like you can't cure poverty.

Answer 7

No, its yet another example of a people who dont want to take responsibility for thier own actions.

Answer 8

The sugar lobby is too strong

Answer 9

Very interesting concept! Thanks for bring up such an original idea.

Answer 10

They will, they will...