Fat Tax \"Did You Hear?

Fat Tax

"Did you hear? They put an additional tax on dairy foods, bakery items, pastas, breads, potato chips, fruits with added sugar, cereals, and...well, everything except fresh fruit and vegetables and I think those are next. You know, too much sugar from the fruit and gas from the vegetables. Air and water are up for discussion next in Congress. Pollution has been known as a carcinogen, and water, well, who knows what is in it!"

Taxing cigarettes because of one's health? Let's face it. The real reason is to make money. Sounds like the stamp tax that no one liked at the beginning of the U.S. Taxing fatty foods is even more ridiculous. Nearly everything people eat are high in sugars and fats.

It is possible to understand, if not agree with, the added tax on cigarettes. There is conclusive evidence that smoking does cause cancer. However, it is quite different with the fat tax and heart conditions.

First, a tax on foods with fat would be almost everything in a supermarket. Second, with a tax on fats, people would switch to the lower cost fat-free food (which, ironically, often contains more sugar or salt). Research shows that people who switch to lower fat alternatives tend simply to eat more. They end up with the same levels of fat.

Third, it is also known that many individuals have a genetic tendency toward heart problems. Will these people be charged even a greater tax, because they are more prone toward the disease?