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Tax on fizzy drinks and curb on takeaway outlets to fight obesity: good idea or not?

205 replies

HelenMumsnet · 18/02/2013 17:20

Hello.

Today, doctors are calling on the government to levy an experimental 20% tax on sugary soft drinks and to make local councils limit the number of fast-food outlets outside schools, colleges and leisure centres - to help prevent the UK's obesity crisis becoming "unresolvable".

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (which represents nearly every doctor in the UK) says it wants measures like these brought in to break the cycle of "generation after generation falling victim to obesity-related illnesses and death".

One in four adults in England is obese, and predictions are that obesity rates will soon rise to 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children.

The British Retail Consortium has countered by saying it's wrong to "demonise" fast-food outlets and it's down to parents to help children "build a healthy and responsible attitude to eating a balanced diet overall".

What do you think?

Do we all need measures like the doctors are suggesting to help us - and our children - stay at a healthy weight?

Or should we be left alone to eat - and feed our children - whatever we choose?

OP posts:
iliketea · 18/02/2013 17:33

I think it would be better to

  1. reduce the price of healthy food, so it's cheaper to eat well
  2. offer cheap cooking classes so people know how to cook from scratch / have cooking and nutrition as part of the national curriculum so children know how to cook.

If the "tax" is used for that, then it would be okay to tax unhealthy food.

HorizonFocus · 18/02/2013 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 18/02/2013 17:27

If they are going to use the extra money in tax to subsidise the price of healthy food, then yes.

If not, then no.

LouiseFisher · 18/02/2013 17:22

I think that's a fantastic idea tbh! Cut down on it!

colditz · 18/02/2013 17:21

Actually I think it would be fantastic to stop fast food places opening near comprehensive schools. I went to the chippy every day for two years when I was a teenager!