A sugar Tax

[Telori]

So what do you think? Experts are saying there should be a tax on anything with sugar in it...

Isn't it just another excuse to raise prices and make us pay more...

[Naomi]

Depends why? Is it to compensate the sugar farmers, or is it just another govt tax that ultimately ends up with them?

Also ... I was under the impression that when the GST came in, it replaced all other taxes? I know sugar doesn't attract the GST but once we start adding additional taxes on things, where does it stop?

[Telori]

It's suppose to be a tax to help curb obesity...the more sugar something has the more tax we would pay on it...

[Naomi]

Ohhh, ok ... seriously though, I don't know that it will work very well. What about deep fried junk food which is just as much a contributer to overweight and obesity? And it's not going to make people exercise more.

[yomamma]

ok we will just stop eating anything that has a tax. The dietician will like that

[Telori]

I dont see a sugar tax doing anything...did people give up smoking when they kept raising the price of cigarettes? As with alcohol?

And can they really blame obesity just on sugar? as Naomi said...what about things that 'make' a child want to sit infront of the TV instead of exercising? What are they going to do about that?

[Luv Angel Musik Babee]

Yep exactly, losing weight is not just about what you eat, you also have to burn calories and if kids sit and watch tv or play video games all day every day instead of playing sports or anyhting then they're going to still be fat. Gav eats like a horse and yes sometimes not at all healthy, but man that kid burns sooooo much energy running around and stuff, he's very very active, I'd love to get him into soccer or something but I just cant without wheels and stuff but he stil plays outside at home a lot. I hope Ty is just as active and any other kids I have

[michelle_72]

This wont really work as it is a combination of things that make people fat - lifestyle being a major contributing factor. Are they going to tax us if we watch more than 2 hours of tv a night instead of going for a walk around the block? There are too many factors which contribute to it and my goodness think about all those pregnant women with sugar cravings - imagine :)

[CarolineBreck]

I think its good that your gov't is trying to do something to help with obesity...just seems they are also trying to pad the pockets a bit, too!

The answer is not to stop eating sugar...its also trans fats and excercise and the amount of sleep you get, etc...Something needs to be done...Wish someone had the answer.

In the states...people continue to smoke even when they raise taxes to RIDICULOUS amounts...So I don't think raising taxes will drop the sugar intake, either.

[grammyjo]

Government can not stop obesity. It's up to the person that has the problem.
I'm 60 lbs overweight. Watch what I eat most of the time & am very active.
I do what I can.
If they tax everything with sugar in it, that's about every food item on the market. I mean, even ketchup has sugar. What percentage does it have to be? Where does it stop?

Jo

[GINAinLA]

I agree that raising the tax isnt going to stop obesity, and where will it end?

Instead they should give somekind of incentive.. like having your gym membership be tax deductable at the end of the year.

Maybe they could incorporate your annual phyisical with some incentive also.. like if you were losing weight or something.

I am overweight also and when I looked up my BMI.. for my height, age and weight I am borderline obese..
That is very scary..

Next time I go to Disneyland I will take a picture of their fat display.. It is pretty gross.

I think it is fair for the airlines to charge 2 seats if someone is obese and takes up one and part of another.. it is not fair to be scrunched up next to someone..:ots:

[grammyjo]

I agree with you Gina about the airlines charging for 2 seats if your obese. It's not fair to the other passengers or to the one that is obese.

Jo

[CarolineBreck]

Gina, good point about the tax incentives! Am I correct that Australia is pretty good about tax incentives for certain things?

And, I agree its the person's choice as to whether or not they are going to treat their body right...but its the children that upset me. Whatever Mom and Dad are going to buy is what they are going to eat...and now-a-days, I think kids need pushing to go out and do things when there is SO much on TV and gameboys and xboxes,etc!!!!