Ireland Mulls 'Fat Tax' to Curb Obesity Levels

Reuters ^ | 8-26-03 | Anon.

[Pharmboy]

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland, noted for fried breakfasts of epic proportions, is chewing over the possibility of a special tax on fatty foods to tackle rising obesity levels.

Faced with an epidemic of expanding waistlines as the Irish enjoy unprecedented prosperity, Health Minister Micheal Martin confirmed he was "very tentatively" examining slapping a levy on high-fat comestibles.

A proliferation of restaurants and fast-food joints during the country's celebrated "Celtic Tiger" boom of the late 1990s and an increasingly sedentary national lifestyle are among factors blamed for a rise of nearly 70 percent in the number of those overweight or obese over the last decade.

"Some 60 percent of our population is now either overweight or obese and we would welcome any initiative (by the government) to tackle the problem," Michael O'Shea, chief executive of the Irish Heart Foundation, told Reuters.

Figures earlier this year showed 14 percent of Irish men and 12 percent of Irish women were obese. Some 32 percent of Irish children were overweight and 10 percent classified obese.

News the government is eyeing high-fat snacks follows recent moves to crack down on alcohol abuse -- including a ban on pub "happy hours" -- and a national furor over plans to prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants from next January.

[Pharmboy]

I guess Rush had predicted this.

[.cnI redruM]

With socialized medicine, this would becaome a necessary cost containment measure. I doubt a socialized medical system could afford continued coverage of HIV and smoking-related illnesses either.

[KantianBurke]

[Servant of the Nine]

"Some 60 percent of our population is now either overweight or obese and we would welcome any initiative (by the government) to tackle the problem,"

Just keep up the socialism and the Second Irish Famine will take care of any fatties.

Of course the irony is that the "healthy" people will starve first.

So9

[bethelgrad]

Oh here we go. "Well the Europeans charge a fat tax, why can't we?" What a friggin' joke. Sorry for the cynicism, but I hate politicians.

[Wolverine]

 

http://www.consumerfreedom.com/images/ads/stupid_ad.jpg

[Pharmboy]

Nice.

[jla]

Amazing how pols think they can get away with this, and even more amazing that they believe punishment-by-taxation will overcome the deficient willpower of those who can't resist ordering the rich, high-cal foods they "could die for".

If this is enacted, then Ireland deserves what it gets.

[Pharmboy]

The surgeons have a saying: "A chance to cut is a chance to cure."

Now the politicians may say: "A chance to tax is a chance to cure."

[ohioman]

Ireland is becoming quite the Socialist Hellhole. Sadly, many parts of America are close behind.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

That looks just plain nasty.

[Koblenz]

Why not just cut out the middlemen and tax fat people directly? This way, responsible eaters of fatty foods wouldn't taxed as much as those that were irresponsible. And since liberals like redistributive schemes so much, why not give a subsididy to the svelt people? Every year, or maybe every quarter, there could be mandated weigh ins, with taxes assessed in a graduated scale. Exemptions could be granted for medical conditions or even pregnancy. Also, the scale could be tied to height, so tall svelt people wouldn't have to pay extra.

[mtbopfuyn]

...recent moves to crack down on alcohol abuse -- including a ban on pub "happy hours" -- and a national furor over plans to prohibit smoking in bars...

Sounds like a total ban on pubs. Does anyone really think the Irish will stand for this?

[Protagoras]

COMING TO YOUR COUNTRY SOON, A VIOLENT NANNY STATE.

The frog is cooking.

[Protagoras]

Irony is, eating fat doesn't make you fat.

[PJ-Comix]

Well, you can't get fat eating Irish food since it tastes so bad. The only thing worse than Irish food is English food. Maybe the answer is go back to the tasteless Irish diet. The food tastes so horrible that people will be eating only small portions again.

[50sDad]

They’re moving father’s grave to build a sewer.
    They're moving it regardless of expense!
They're shifting his remains
    To put in 9-inch drains
To irrigate some plush bloke's residence.

Now what's the use in having a religion,
   If when you're dead your troubles cease?
If some rich city chapie
   Wants pipelines to his Privy.
He doesn't let a workman sleep in peace?

In his life Da never was a quitter,
   I don't suppose he'll be a quitter now.
Cause when the job's complete,
   He'll haunt that Privy seat:
They'll only pull the chain when he'll allow.

Oh won't there be some bleedin' consternation;
   And won't them city chappies grunt and writhe!
It's all that they deserve:
   For havin' the bleedin' nerve
To muck about an Irish workman's grave!

[TheSpottedOwl]

That looks just plain nasty.

What, you've never had Sheppard's Pie?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I make something my wife calls a shepherds pie, but mine has browned sausage, browned onions, cheese and potatoes all mixed together with sour cream before baking.

[jla]

Now the politicians may say: "A chance to tax is a chance to cure."

Well as usual pols are out of touch with what most folks think.
And if their own health & unattractive physical appearance doesn't deter the fat people from their self-indulgences, a tax sure as heck won't either.