14 DAY TRIAL // A new study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Health Organization comes to reveal that the only way to effectively cut obesity rates in the UK is to apply the so-called “fat tax.”
This would mean, of course, putting junk food on par with cigarettes and alcohol, which would translate into higher prices and limited marketing.
Both of these would act towards discouraging consumption, thus cutting down obesity rates for the simple fact that fewer people would find eating junk food so easily accessible.
And the results would be instantly visible, the study suggests: Britain’s 52 million population would enjoy an extra 270,000 years of great health between them, the Daily Mail says.
“Government measures to change diet are supported in the study by experts at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Health Organization,” the tab writes.
“A key proposal suggests treating foods high in fat, salt and sugar in the same way as tobacco, where advertising is restricted and price has been pushed up to discourage use,” the Mail adds.
However, players in the food industry are opposed to the idea of allowing the State to intervene in such a percentage into everything, even if it’s to tackle such a serious issue as the obesity pandemics.
“Researchers found that a combined approach of taxing unhealthy foods, subsidizing healthy options, restricting food advertising and improving labeling was cheaper than simply treating those who develop heart disease or cancer as a result of an unhealthy diet,” the Mail says.
They believe they would start seeing results in a maximum of 15 years, granted the initiative gets greenlit, with extremely remarkable results in terms of cutting down the expense on the NHS to treat obesity-related problems.
“This analysis clearly shows that the strategic approaches that deliver best value for money are improved awareness and information, appropriate fiscal measures and enhanced regulatory mechanisms,” researchers say.
A similar measure is being considered in the US, where competent health authorities are considering the so-called “soda tax,” which, at least in theory, would help people shed about 5 pounds a year through reduced consumption of soda.