Tax fat people.?

Question

Obesity is a major health hazard, affecting 20% of Westerners.

Isn't it time the community provided tax incentives for people to lose weight?

Some will argue that such a tax is discriminatory, and indeed it is, but then so are many taxes, against smokers, drinkers and drivers.

Of course, those with medical conditions ashould be exempted from such a tax.

Answer 1

First we have to define clearly what fat people are to you. Is it an overage of 1 pound and above from the standard weight according to height or the definition of being obese? There is a distinction between being just fat and obese.

I think its not proper to provide tax incentives for people to lose weight, because anybody will just make themselves fat and avail of the tax incentive later by mere reducing. They should reduce not because of tax incentives but because of health reasons. I rather support tax incentives on prompt tax payers

I also do not favor exemptions from tax because of medical conditions if the reason for such ill is all related to being obese.

Your tax proposals are contradicting, i mean if they continue to be fat, they will be taxed right? However if they have medical problems, they will be exempted, so it is good as no tax. Obese people are definitely sick because obesity in itself is a health problem already.

Answer 2

Are you talking stick or carrot here when you say 'incentives'
I believe there is a case for curbing food processors and manufacturers use of unhealthy ingredients, such as sugar, salt and trans-fats, by whatever means present themselves.
Taxing such foodstuffs at source would be an incentive for said manufacturers to change ingredients. However; as a higher proportion of obese people live on low incomes, this could easily end up as another tax on the poor, when it is actualy 'fat cats'
who can afford to pay.

Answer 3

Obese people may need more medical attention younger, but the most expensive conditions to treat are those of extreme old age, which the obese will usually not impose upon the state.

Also, they are likely to claim less from the state pension than those of a healthier weight.

Therefore, in the same way that smokers get bigger annuities from pension companies, I think it would be fairer to argue that fat people should pay LESS tax.

Answer 4

Those with medical conditions are exempt?? You mean such things as diabetes or high cholesterol?? Forget the exemptions, there should be higher rates for people that are higher risk, just like the market driven insurance industry.

Answer 5

I know you mention that people with medical conditions should be exempt, a lot of people are obese because of this. They cant eat certain foods or exert themselves through exercise. I don't know why you keep on insisting large people should pay more tax when there are skinny ones that make themselves anorexic which is also a health hazard !!

Answer 6

I agree.. people who have the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle but choose not to out of pure laziness should be taxed. I think this because they have all these disease from being obese which drives up health care and stuff and it's not fair to people who don't mooch off the government just because they can. Likewise if the person has a medical condition that prevents them from not eating double whoppers and a box of twinkies before bed then let them be free. Why should everyone else have to suffer when we make and effort to stay healthy????

Answer 7

Shall we tax the anorexic and bulimics too? Or is it just the overweight that should be penalized? For many,being large or being skinny is purely down to genetics. For some it's medications or illness-and yes,there are some obese people who are gluttons,and some skinny people who are anorexic and bulimic. You can't pile everybody into one group,so this thought of taxing people based on their weight is ridiculous,to say the least!

Answer 8

Yup tax the hell out of them and the skinny ones too ,also the short ones they are the worst, but some of the really tall ones are just as bad, leave the dumb ones alone just tax the smart ones.
Ugly ones could afford more taxes too.
This will work as long as I get to be the Judge who decides which catagory everybody fits into.
(You will be in the smart section of course)

Answer 9

No.

That's just a silly idea. And no i'm not fat.

It would be better to impose higher taxes on junk food although I still don't see the need.

It is very rare to have a medical condition that causes obesity. Most people who are over weight are so because they eat too much food, especiallty high fat junk food, and don't take enough excercise.

Answer 10

U know whats unfair? Paying for fat people to go to the gym. I was fat I paid for myself and now i'm not fat. But I still pay my own gym membership and i've saved the NHS heaps cos i'm healthier.
Over weight people need incentives to loose weight, education is great way then charge heaps 4 rubbish unhealthy food cos healthy food is so dear.