Should huge taxes be put on fast food items in the same manner cigarettes are taxed since both items cost?

Question

our society HUGE medical expenses?

If each Big Mac was $5 would fatties slow down their intake?

Answer 1

Of course. The more taxes the better. I'd even recommend we tax taxes. It's the right thing to do.

Answer 2

Diminishing Returns!!!!!!

This is an important Economic process that you need to understand.

1. Instead of each State suing the Tobacco companies, a majority of States made an agreement with the Cigarette companies to settle. This amount was supposed to be dedicated to State health care.

2. States raised taxes on cigarettes to pay for health care. For instance it costs $5 per pack of Cigarettes in Chicago.

What happened is that the price of Cigarettes has become so high that people are quitting. Now there is not enough money coming in from tobacco taxes to pay for health care. This is called diminishing returns. You raise the price of something so high that you do not get the expected return.

If we do this. Let's see what the unintended consequences are:

1. More teens and people relying on minimum wage will be out of work due to fast food places closing.

2. Less tax revenue coming in locally statewide and federally due to these businesses not making money and closing down.

3. More people on unemployment because there will be less minimum wage jobs for teens and people on low end income

4. Millions of less dollars given to Charities from fast food companies.


The best solution is to let the free market decide. This is the best way to change behavior. Some of these companies are changing to no trans fats on their own. So use your power as a customer and go to only those places. If the competition wants to stay in business, they will follow suit.

Answer 3

People would pay 5 bucks for a Big Mac before they'd pay 5 bucks for a healthy salad. That's just the way the ball bounces. And, personally, I think alcohol needs to be taxed a LOT more, because a lot of innocent people are hurt and killed because of it, not to mention the huge medical expenses.

Answer 4

I think it may have some effect. Lets say a mom with 3 kids had to go out and get Happy Meals at $5 a peice, maybe it would cut back on so many kids eating that junk. I agree with you.

Answer 5

In America there should be choice. Plus an athlete would burn it off. A lady died recently from drinking too much water. Should we put heavy taxes on water.

Answer 6

No--- people should just learn a little self control.
More education on the value of good diets-- Bring some healthy vegetarian meal choices into the schools etc.
I think it will happen in time. McDonalds, et.al. will have to add healthier choices--- (actually healthier--- not fake high calorie 'healthy choices')

Answer 7

using tax to cigarettes is fascism. Non-people who smoke fee lots greater effective than people who smoke, as they stay longer and draw lots greater social secure practices and well-being care advantages in previous age. Taxes are aptly utilized to those who draw the advantages. All non-people who smoke observe that they are living off taxes paid via people who smoke. i'm valuable the actuality that the healthful fee taxpayers lots greater effective than people who smoke feels super for all those moralist fundamentalists. yet you're getting closer. the U. S. government and its puppy company and pharmaceutical manufacturers of tobacco, junk nutrition, and deadly chemical components could desire to no longer basically be taxed for poisoning and addicting its inhabitants for grimy income, they could desire to be ________________ .

Answer 8

Yes I agree . Plus I cant stand the fact that they charge $1 for a double cheeseburger and a salad will cost you like five bucks!

Answer 9

Why give the tax man new ideas,No tax on food,i only have take away one day a week,And that wont harm me..

Answer 10

I don't think it would matter they would still go and get that Big Mac. Just like the smokers go get their cigarettes