Another "Use the Law to influence behavior" bad idea.

[YogsVR4]

http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.a...E21302,00.html

'Fat tax' proposed

09jun03

FAT-laden meals and snacks are being threatened with a "fat tax" in a desperate bid to combat Australia's spiralling obesity epidemic.

Biscuits, cakes and processed meals are among the fatty foods in health experts' sights.

Australian Medical Association bosses say the lard levy could ultimately save the medical system billions of dollars.

The AMA will ask the Federal Government to consider it as part of an overall strategy to combat obesity -- which can lead to a string of fatal conditions.

Recent studies show that 47 per cent of women and 63 per of men are overweight or obese.

By 2010, 70 per cent of the population will be above their healthy weight range.

Diabetes Australia has also backed discussion of the plan at a federal level amid estimates that more than one million Australians are afflicted by diabetes, which is linked to weight.

The tax -- which experts admit is a shock tactic -- would have two main effects.

Firstly, it would encourage food producers to cut fat levels.

Secondly, manufacturers who kept fat levels high would probably pass on the levy to consumers via higher prices -- meaning the public would eat less of the fatty foods.

The British Medical Association has endorsed a similar plan to impose 17.5 per cent value added tax on fatty food -- except takeaway meals which are already taxed.

AMA vice-president Mekesh Haikerwal yesterday said the doctors' group would be happy to put the tax idea "on the table" for discussion with the Federal Government.

A tax on fatty food would help to create a healthier lifestyle for everyone but "shock tactics" were needed to arrest the spread of obesity.

"The discussion needs to be had," Dr Haikerwal said.

"There needs to be a giant wake-up call, obesity is a major drain on our resources, on our health systems and workplaces."

Australian health ministers will meet next month to consider a national strategy to battle obesity levels with new evidence showing that within the next decade four out of 10 children will be overweight.

Diabetes Australia spokesman Alan Barclay said the

plan was "definitely worth considering for the battle against diabetes".

But he warned that forcing companies to rethink the fat content of their foods could result in products which are high in sugar and starch.

There is already evidence some companies are changing the ingredients in snack foods.

Diabetics spend on average $10,000 a year on their condition with those with complications spending $20,000.

Federal Health Minister Kaye Patterson would not be drawn on the proposal

[YogsVR4]

Any of our Aussie members run across this or was the article full of it? Maybe its along the lines of our McDonalds lawsuit here - not around for long because its just plain ridiculous.

[taranaki]

Every day,my local newspaper has a small'crazy but true' item on page 2.This item was published there.Education is the key to healthier lifestyle,not revenue gathering.The liquor industry and the tobacco industry are both classic examples of taxation failing to deter those who wish to use the product.

I can't imagine that you could ever raise the price of a Big Mac to a level that would deter those at risk of obesity.