Well, that’s one way to do it
As part of their struggle against childhood obesity and diabetes, doctors in Australia are pushing for the government to introduce higher taxes on junk foods to make it more expensive that healthy foods like vegetables and fruits.
The article, printed in this week’s Medical Journal of Australia, states that medical experts believe that the country’s obesity epidemic could be stopped within a year with the tax change.
The editorial calls for a ban on marketing junk food to children, including tv ads, strict limits on what can be sold in school, required physical activity for students, a ban on junk food and drinks on publicly funded facilities and the adjustment to the tax rate.
“Our politicians need to accept that major legislative and other regulatory measures are required,” says the editorial, written by Paul Zimmet, director of Melbourne’s International Diabetes Institute, and Philip James, chair of the International Obesity Taskforce. “If the political will is there, then there is hope.”
Australia’s Health Minister Tony Abbott rejected the call, saying that people are responsible for their own eating habits.
(via The Australian)
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