Denmark Adds Fat Tax

In an article by the National Center for Policy Analysis

“Denmark has imposed what it calls a “fat tax” on foods such as butter and oil as a way to curb unhealthy eating habits.  While the country has already implemented initiatives to tax unhealthy products such as sugar and soft drinks, the breadth of the fat tax is largely unprecedented, says the Washington Post.

• Based not only on the presence of saturated fats in the finished product but also on the fats used to make it, the fat tax is set at approximately $2.90 per kilogram of saturated fat.
• It is expected to raise the price of a standard burger about 15 cents.

The purpose of this new tax, says the Danish parliament, is to increase the life expectancy of the Danish population.  While above the world average, the life expectancy of Danes lags behind that of their European neighbors.  Placing this issue at the forefront, government officials cite the correlation between fat-heavy diets and cardiovascular disease and cancer when justifying the new tax.”

The U.S. is contemplating the same measures but is not likely to tax sugars in sodas. It does show the U.S. is behind other western countries in legislating health for its populations.  Unfortunately nations find themselves  needing to make citizens more healthy because they have previously chosen to give them a health care safety net.

Shouldn’t the population care as much as the government?

The government has to pay, but the population has to suffer. It is no fun having diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. There is a lot of suffering. People around you have to suffer as well. You can lose body parts, become indigent, immobilized, weak, and pitiful. You don’t live to participate with your kids and grand kids for as long those in healthy cultures.

It costs a lot of money to cure your ailments and may strap future generations with your costs and the burden of taking care of you not to mention the costs born by the public.  Living to the end with health and fitness is a wonderful experience. You can lead your family on great adventures and still enjoy hiking, skiing, surfing, and running into your 70’s and maybe 80’s.

The movement has begun world wide to make people healthier. If people learn to eat natural, they will enjoy the benefits without too much prodding or too many taxes.