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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Fat Tax - A fine for obesity?

Again, not strictly computer related but I've had some requests to do some non-related articles for the non-comp geeks out there =]


This one is slightly related, because it may affect some of us that sometimes sit around too much.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13397306





Essentially there is a proposal in Arizona to bring in an annual fine of $50 for people who are overweight/obese (also smokers). Of course they would exempt people who are overweight due to a medical condition, but any 'able-bodied' person who can address their weight issue would have to pay if they don't actively try to lose weight.

What are your thoughts on this? Concerns of course are the kind of people they target; (as it appears people working for the state w/ state insurance would not be targeted by this initiative), i.e. elderly people, children (what age do they draw the line at on both ends of the scale?)

Personally I think it's an interesting idea; and might influence some people's decisions. $50 a year seems quite low to me, but in the end it's several less Big Macs; ironic. At the same time I feel government profits could best be put towards educating people more about good foods and lifestyles. But this seems to be a dead horse that done been whipped good.

Also, I seem to recall in Japan there was a similar thing; you had to be within the 28-34 inch waist range or you might not keep your job. This is coming from distant memory so I can't confirm.

I guess it has come to that time, where obesity is such an issue (much like smoking/alc) that all the restrictions we do see against tobacco/alcohol might start to work their way into the realm of fast/food, and being governmentally ruled in some way. This seems like the baby step, but do you think it could lead to bigger (pun intended) restrictions in the future?

14 comments:

  1. My god! "no sé si reir o llorar" which is spanish to "i do not know if laugh abot this or cry about this " fat tax :s !

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  2. I'm not sure about the system in the US, but in many countries obese people cost a lot of money on the system. Many times they're not obese because of some kind of condition, it's just because they eat too much. If this repays their 'debt' to society, then I'm all for it, as obese people generally are sicker.

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  3. I agree that something should be done about weight problems but this does not seem like the right way to go...

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  4. Seems to be a tax for everything now, but this one is not right.

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  5. Put this shit nation-wide, finally fix out problems.

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  6. and legalise and tax weed (i dont smoke it though) solve 90% of your problems.

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  7. Although obesity is a huge problem plaguing america, imposing a fine on it is not the way to go about fixing the problem. An interesting idea none the less, but there is no way that it could work.

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  8. good riddance i can stand fat people, they're so fat

    and overweight

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  9. I agree completely, hell, I think the tax should be $5000 not $50. But then again, I have some pretty radical view on fat people, so...

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  10. That is a smart tax and should be followed through with. Obesity is an epidemic that is overcoming the world and needs to be shut down.

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  11. i believe this would be quite appropriate in our day and age

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  12. It's their own fault. Let them die at 50 years so we healthy can laugh at them when we turn 150.

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  13. Lol that would encourage people to lose weight xD

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  14. I like the post. I'm overweight but I'm trying to change it.

    Keep up with the blog.

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