Should fat people be taxed more?

Question

Should there be a tax incentive to lose weight? Should fatties have to pay more tax? Would this help prevent the fat epidemic in the west?

A good number f answerers have chosen to retort to my reasonable question with insults. I have chosen not to report them as that isn't my style.

The truth is that clinical obesity is now current in a whopping 20% of the UK population (in the USA it is even higher), and that the costs of this self-indulgence are paid for by the rest of the community in medical costs, and in visual squalor.

It would be possible to exempt persons suffering from genuine medical disorders from the tax.

A good number f answerers have chosen to retort to my reasonable question with insults. I have chosen not to report them as that isn't my style.

The truth is that clinical obesity is now current in a whopping 20% of the UK population (in the USA it is even higher), and that the costs of this self-indulgence are paid for by the rest of the community in medical costs, and in visual squalor.

It would be possible to exempt persons suffering from genuine medical disorders from the tax.

As Forex wisely states; this would be much like the taxes that smokers and car users pay.

The insults continue to roll in, I see; ironically often accusing me of being immature!

Fat is unhealthy and unsightly and it is necessary for society to combat it.

Simplekin- your analogy with drinking is rather off the mark, given that alchohol is already very heavily taxed. Unsafe sex would be very difficult to tax ithout considerable intrusion (excuse the pun) into the private lives of citizens. But, of course, almost all taxes, and their enforcemnt, involves the state prying into our private affairs. Quite exactly what the fat level cuto off would be I am unclear as yet, though it could be a sliding scale- (or should we say a "rolling scale")?

All taxes entail administrative challenges, and you are right to raise them here.

But the challenges faced by a tax on something so visible as fat are much less than, say, a tax on capital gains.

Simplekin- your analogy with drinking is rather off the mark, given that alchohol is already very heavily taxed. Unsafe sex would be very difficult to tax ithout considerable intrusion (excuse the pun) into the private lives of citizens. But, of course, almost all taxes, and their enforcemnt, involves the state prying into our private affairs. Quite exactly what the fat level cuto off would be I am unclear as yet, though it could be a sliding scale- (or should we say a "rolling scale")?

All taxes entail administrative challenges, and you are right to raise them here.

But the challenges faced by a tax on something so visible as fat are much less than, say, a tax on capital gains.

Answer 1

And exactly how would you propose that we ensure the listing of their weight be done accurately? What would the cut off be? Say I'm 5'4" but 150lbs - way over my ideal BMI - but my body fat is at 4% since muscle weighs more than fat.....Hmmmm - do I get taxed because of my weight? Or what about the guy who weighs 251 lbs, and files his taxes - getting nailed with the "fat tax" and then loses 2 lbs the next day which puts him under the "fat tax" limit....is he entitled to a refund? yes - obesity is a horrible thing and it wouldn't be wonderful if such a thing didn't exist. Yes it causes health problems, but so does drinking and having sex.......so should we have a special tax for those people who choose to engage in risky sexual activity - how would you track that? Spy in their bedrooms? Or those that drink a case of beer a night? Can't over tax the beer - you are punishing me when I drink one case a year.

Answer 2

Not necessarily. People would just try to sue the government or something for discrimination. And furthermore, some fat people are that way because of a legitamite disease and can't lose much weight (or any). While the population does need incentive to lose weight, it should be in the form of educating people about the risk of obesity and showing what's in fast food, not taxation.

And by the way, if you tax fat people it would only be fair that you tax underweight people to gain weight.

Answer 3

Hell nah! I think there should be a tax on skinny people. Then maybe so many people wouldn't have eating disorders, trying to be skinny. What kind of person ask a question like this? This is why a lot of people are messed up. What we need is for insurance company's and the Government to cover more programs for people who suffer from all kinds of eating disorders (big people & skinny people). So sweetie the answer isn't taxing, Its educating! Peace!

Answer 4

In Truth - they already do!
will not go into the facts except a person at 30 pounds over weight in USA pays up to 3000$ extra in hidden taxes. Imagine same in UK

Answer 5

i can understand why some people might see some logic in this due to all the pressure placed on the NHS, but at the end of the day, no one actually 'wants' to be morbidly obese. a lot of people end up stuck that way due to underlying emotional issues, low self esteem, depression etc and then turning to food for comfort. i really dont think taxing someone in that situation is going to suddenly make them get up and diet.

Answer 6

Hell yeah they should! More wear and tear on the roads, less fuel economy from their cars, blocking the way at the supermarket, mall or whatever. Taking up the arm rest and their flabs reaching over into your space on a train or plane and making you uncomfortable!

They should make them buy two tickets for trains/planes too!

Answer 7

Oh certainly, yet not 0.5 as plenty through fact the fats chav single mothers who consume junk nutrition all day and sit down on their greater super DFS armchairs courtesy of their income cheques and hassle money.

Answer 8

lobbyists would prevent it on the based on discrimination, and how would you do it? have people write in there weight on their income taxes? you think people lie on their taxes now, just wait. and what makes you over weight to the point of being able to be taxed on it. 100 lbs or is 5 enough?

Answer 9

How about a high tax for ignorant judgemental thin people?
Would that be fair?
Maybe they would be less judgemental and more accepting of variation among humans.

Answer 10

No. They shouldn't. People like you should be taxed more as an incentive to get an education and not be retarded.