Fat tax/chocolate tax repealed!

[Laurie4b]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i3exgRYcjub3JqFh8NqZULcowKfw?docId=CNG.21e9b6c39551266eec2b615c33bd28bf.71

 

From Denmark:

 

I got a kick out of this line:

"The fat tax and the extension of the chocolate tax -- the so-called sugar tax -..... has, to a lesser extent, contributed to Danes travelling across the border to make purchases," it added.

 

DUH!:lol::lol::lol: My. word.

[Audrey]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i3exgRYcjub3JqFh8NqZULcowKfw?docId=CNG.21e9b6c39551266eec2b615c33bd28bf.71

 

From Denmark:

 

I got a kick out of this line:

"The fat tax and the extension of the chocolate tax -- the so-called sugar tax -..... has, to a lesser extent, contributed to Danes travelling across the border to make purchases," it added.

 

DUH!:lol::lol::lol: My. word.

 

That's interesting. IIRC, there were a couple of states that wanted to do something similar, no? On the one hand, I can see how some people think it will encourage healthier eating habits, but on the other hand, it makes the cheapest food more expensive, thereby putting even more food choices out of the reach of those who can least afford to skip yet another meal.

[Laurie4b]

That's interesting. IIRC, there were a couple of states that wanted to do something similar, no? On the one hand, I can see how some people think it will encourage healthier eating habits, but on the other hand, it makes the cheapest food more expensive, thereby putting even more food choices out of the reach of those who can least afford to skip yet another meal.

 

I think NYC has made some moves in this direction. Didn't they outlaw certain size of sodas or something?

 

I've thought there are parts of taxing junk food that make sense... possibly. I'm not sure that taxes on cigarettes actually affected people's behavior significantly. To the extent that the tax money is put into health care funds or research on lung cancer, etc. maybe that's a good thing.

 

With food, though, things get murkier. There is a good argument to be made that dark chocolate is a health food, not a junk food. And there is debate about whether saturated fats are good or bad for you. I'm imagining science will keep up a moving target with respect to some of this.

 

Truth is, the issue is not "evil foods;" it's a complex issue of too much of certain kinds of foods. I'd rather see a tax credit for vegetables !:D I think the article made the point that the food tax was crazy administration- heavy.

 

Anyway, I just got a kick out of the image of people running across the border for a cheaper chocolate fix. ;)

[kiana]

I think it makes a lot more sense to subsidize foods that pretty much everyone agrees aren't eaten enough. Like (frozen, canned, fresh, but not precooked) vegetables. I'm flat broke right now and my vegetable (other than potato) consumption is in the cellar simply because beans and rice and grains are so much cheaper.

 

IOW, trying to make it cheaper to eat in a more healthy manner would probably go over a lot better AND have better results than penalizing people for 'making bad choices.'

[stripe]

I don't think the sugar and corn industry need help making the American public fat. I don't think what's needed is a tax, but an end to the heavy subsidies. That is why junk food is so cheap: it's not an even playing field.

[prairiewindmomma]

My Danish friend travels to Germany 4x a year on shopping trips. She says dog food is also much cheaper across the border.