Do you think that a Fat Tax is useful to promote healthier living?
Yes
Side Score: 1
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No
Side Score: 5
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Yes, as with most dangerous or unhealthy indulgences the average person needs to be aware that there are consequences for their slapdash habits and personal irresponsibilities. The best way to ''TRY'' to keep the anti-social wonts of these mindless morons in check is to hit them in their pocket. Side: Yes
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1
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Do you think that a Fat Tax is useful to promote healthier living? Of course not. It's a way to make profit from those struggling with addiction. Same with the other example given of cigarettes. If the government raised the tax on junk food and/or cigarettes and then sent all that revenue over to build addiction and/or treatment centres then that would be "useful to promote healthier living". But of course the government doesn't do that. Side: No
1
point
First, introducing this taxation without introducing equivalent taxes on other unhealthy behaviors would be state based discrimination. Second, taxation is too far downstream from the causes of obesity to be effective. Personal lifestyle choices are a consequence of numerous variables - outdoor or exercise amenities, parenting choices, genetic predisposition, mental health (resources), commuting distance, work hours, etc. - with cost being relatively low on the list. Third, reducing or eliminating subsidies to industries which produce unhealthy food would be more effective than attempting to counteract those subsidies by taxing consumers downstream. This taxation tactic effectively passes on the costs of corporate welfare to private individuals. Side: No
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