Should the Government Pass a Fat Tax - Article Example

Should the Government Pass a Fat Tax? With growing obesity in the United s politicians and health activists have increasingly sought ways of reducing the problem. One proposed possibility has been the implementation of so called ‘fat taxes’. These are taxes on high calorie or fatty foods, or increased costs of health care for obese people. The underlining belief is that in increasing the cost of these products, individuals will be more motivated to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Still, some health activists counter that such a tax is wrong-headed in that rather than imbuing individuals with a sense of personal responsibility, it attempts to arbitrarily enforce healthy living.

This essay considers the nature of the fat tax, arguing that in terms of the current social climate such a tax is justified. In considering the nature of a fat tax it’s necessary to consider whether there is a legitimate connection between increased food costs and their reduced consumption. A recent research article conducted by the University of Minnesota titled ‘Pricing Effects on Food Choices’ investigated this connection (French 2003). This report indicated that there was a significant connection between increased food prices and the reduced consumption of these foods.

Consider French (2003) when she writes, Compared with usual price conditions, price reductions resulted in a four-fold increase in fresh fruit sales and a two-fold increase in baby carrot sales. Both studies demonstrate that price reductions are an effective strategy to increase the purchase of more healthful foods in community-based settings such as work sites and schools.In these regards, the study indicates that in increasing the cost of high calorie food there was a corresponding increasing in the purchase of healthier food options.

One of the notable aspects of this research is that individuals didn’t simply avoid the high calorie foods, but actually were proactive in their pursuit of fruits and vegetables – both elements nutritionists indicate are essential for a healthy diet. In considering the results of this study, it’s clear that a fat tax could benefit the nation through reducing obesity. Another major concern of instituting a fat tax is that such a tax doesn’t promote personal responsibility, but instead arbitrarily requires individuals to follow a healthy diet.

In considering these challenges to the fat tax, it’s clear that they constitute a strong objection, yet ultimately they prove erroneous. The general assumption in this argument is that obesity is only the problem of the obese individual. While the health risks associated with obesity are the individual’s primary responsibility, it’s also clear that society is oftentimes asked to pay for the consequences of an obese lifestyle. For instance, obesity places an increased burden on health care, the costs of which oftentimes because the responsibility of the government or workplace.

In these regards, obesity is a social problem; as such, it’s clear that instituting a fat tax is along the same moral and ethical lines as outlawing harmful narcotics. In conclusion, this essay has considered whether the government should pass a fat tax. In these regards, the essay demonstrated that there is a connection between a tax and reduced high calorie food consumption. The essay has also demonstrated that the problem of obesity is a social and not simply individual problem. Ultimately, these factors demonstrate that the institution of a fat tax is not only justified, but is necessary for the progress of society.

ReferencesFrench, S.A. (2003). "Pricing effects on food choices". Journal of Nutrition 133 (3): 841–843.