The Fat Tax: A Controversial Tool in War Against Obesity.

[Ginny]

It worked so well discouraging cigarette smokers.

I can't believe how much cigarettes are now. I don't smoke, but it seems as though I saw Marlboro's are about $4 a pack (?) when I was recently in the store.

A very expensive habit... I don't think it would matter if cigarettes became $10 a pack..people continue to smoke on their death bed.

 

[burrow_owl]

Cigarettes are $7-8 in nyc. Smoking rates in the city, IIRC, have plummetted as a result (the money certainly factored into my decision to quit).

And, really, it's a good thing that fewer people smoke, just as it would be a good thing if people didn't eat so much garbage. And these two propositions are uncontroversial. If someone thinks that becoming obese and clogging their arteries is a good or even indifferent thing, we'd rightly question their sanity, just as we would if someone thought getting lung cancer was fine with them.

It's just a question of what legitimate means the state can avail itself of in trying to secure uncontroversial social goods.

 

[Mskedi]

I wouldn't mind seeing the junk food machines taken out of public schools, but that's about as far as I'd like to see any regulation on junk food go.

Things that are toxic no matter what (like cigarettes) I don't mind taxing, particularly since second hand smoke can affect me, and the fewer smokers there are, the less affected by smoke I am. There is no way for me to suffer a second-hand twinkie effect.

 

[JPPT1974]

I want the cigarettes gone
But the food machines should be only
For let say Fridays
When it is anything goes day!

 

[k]

I think we should tax those who want more taxes based on taxing those who do not conform to their idea of a non-taxing life because it is a taxing situation when taxes are taxed out of control.

 

[k]

What angers me about the tax hikes on cigs is they were done strictly as a way for the tobacco companies to NOT have to pay the lawsuits they lost. If people want to complain about cigs...that's cool...just don't pitch the stitch in the wrong pocket.

 

[Dracil]

I actually think it's a good idea.

For example, sometimes I buy soda because it's just MUCH cheaper than say, milk, or orange juice. Worse health-wise, but more economical. If they taxed the soda and made milk/orange juices cheaper, I'd probably switch around.

 

[k]

I actually think it's a good idea.

For example, sometimes I buy soda because it's just MUCH cheaper than say, milk, or orange juice. Worse health-wise, but more economical. If they taxed the soda and made milk/orange juices cheaper, I'd probably switch around.

That's the problem...the "junk" food prices will simply increase and there will be no decrease on the healthier foods. Anyone every try to eat only organic foods? Can't do it on my budget.