Fat tax for the Danes

[Gob]

Denmark has introduced what’s believed to be the world’s first fat food tax, applying a surcharge to foods with more than 2.3 percent saturated fats, in an effort to combat obesity and heart disease.




Danes hoarded food before the tax went into effect Saturday, emptying grocery store shelves. Some butter lovers may even resort to stocking up during trips abroad.

The new tax of 16 kroner ($2.90) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of saturated fat in a product will be levied on foods like butter, milk, cheese, pizza, oils and meat.

“Higher fees on sugar, fat and tobacco is an important step on the way toward a higher average life expectancy in Denmark,” health minister Jakob Axel Nielsen said when he introduced the idea in 2009, according to The Associated Press, because “saturated fats can cause cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

But some Danes are not happy about the ‘big brother’ feeling that comes with the tax.

“Denmark finds every sort of way to increase our taxes,” said Alisa Clausen, a South Jutland resident. “Why should the government decide how much fat we eat? They also want to increase the tobacco price very significantly. In theory this is good — it makes unhealthy items expensive so that we do not consume as much or any and that way the health system doesn’t use a lot of money on patients who become sick from overuse of fat and tobacco. However, these taxes take on a big brother feeling. We should not be punished by taxes on items the government decides we should not use.”

The Nordic country isn’t known for having a grossly overweight population — only about 10 percent of Danes are considered obese, compared to about one-third of adults (33.8 percent) and approximately 17 percent (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents age 2—19 years in the United States, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

But perhaps Denmark has its obesity rate relatively under control because of its policies. In 2004, Denmark made it illegal for any food to have more than 2 percent trans fats. In July 2010, the country increased taxes on ice cream, chocolate and sweets by 25 percent. At the same time, Denmark increased taxes on soft drinks, tobacco and alcohol products, beyond the minimum levels established by the EU.


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011 ... rated-fat/

[dales]

If the US implemented the Danish program, our national debt could be paid off in no time!

[The Hen]

That surcharge would apply to an immense amount of processed food products.

[Scooter]

I think that's the point, regardless of whether the motive is to generate more revenue or to promote healthier eating.

[The Hen]

I understand their point, but the tax is going to go on sooooooo many products that potentially are not an unhealthy option. and for what? 10 percent of the population?

Extreme.

[GrossDad]

The most recent metastudies have concluded that there is simply no good evidence for the proposition that consumption of saturated fats is a cause of CVD.

[Liberty1]

So social engineering (which never works) isn't just in the US.

[Scooter]

You're right, social engineering never works. That's why there have been drastic reductions in the number of people smoking, in the number of people who drive drunk, and in the number of people who drive without seatbelts over the past several decades.

[BoSoxGal]

1/3 of the US is obese, with the rate growing yearly. Numerous diseases are associated with obesity. Taxing crap & removing the corn subsidy would be good policy. Subsidize fruits & veggies instead!

[Liberty1]

That's why there have been drastic reductions in the number of people smoking, in the number of people who drive drunk

Yes because of societal pressures, nothing the governments done. At my work, the day after they banned smoking in the building, well over half the smokers quit.

people who drive without seatbelts over the past several decades.

Yes because it's become more mainstream, a more feminized culture (whether that's good or not is another subject) again nothing the governments done.

If the government was so worried, they'd ban cigarettes, why don't they do that.

1/3 of the US is obese, with the rate growing yearly. Numerous diseases are associated with obesity.

And it's absolutely no ones business but their own.

[Scooter]

That's why there have been drastic reductions in the number of people smoking, in the number of people who drive drunk

Yes because of societal pressures, nothing the governments done.

Of course not, legislation limiting smoking in public places (including privately-owned buildings) and increased enforcement and stiffer penalties for drunk driving had nothing to do with it.

people who drive without seatbelts over the past several decades.

Yes because it's become more mainstream, a more feminized culture (whether that's good or not is another subject) again nothing the governments done.

Nothing except, gee, I don't know, laws requiring the use of seatbelts, maybe?

[BoSoxGal]

And it's absolutely no ones business but their own.

I disagree; obesity causes many illnesses which increase healthcare costs overall, given that 50 million Americans are uninsured (and we all pay for that) and also contribute hugely to lost productivity. Many of the severely obese, and many diabetics, are on disability. That's my business; I'm picking up the tab.

[dales]

I surmise liberty wants to pay more taxes paying for something that is totally preventable (obesity) which often leads to type 2 diabetes and is rapidly draining what scant resources we have for the sick in this country.


Oh wait, becoming a fat slob was "their choice"------ let them die on the side of the road, WGAF.

[Scooter]

He has more than once stated that he is willing to pay more for private sector inefficiency and worse health care outcomes than to have a government involvement in a system that is both more efficient and more effective.

He's a cut off his nose to spite his face kind of guy, IOW.

[rubato]

Maybe they know something:

"... In 2009, almost a quarter of adults (22 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women aged 16 or over) in England were classified as obese (BMI 30kg/m2 or over). ..."

"...
About one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese.
Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents ... "

Denmark does almost everything better than we or the UK does. We should be more open-minded about how they do it.

yrs,
rubato