What Is an Obesity Tax?

The obesity tax is an additional tax on obese people. The earliest proposal was that the WHO proposed a obesity tax in 2006, but it was opposed by most people because of suspicion of discrimination. In February 2008, a number of UK life insurance companies decided to impose an "obesity tax" on policyholders. In April 2009, Ryanair, the largest low-cost airline in Europe, put forward an "obesity tax" in an effort to save costs. To better save costs, Ryanair Ireland levies an "obesity tax" on overweight passengers. In November 2012, the Parisian reported that in 2013, France may impose an "obesity tax" on chocolate.

Obesity tax

Some western countries have made many explorations on the "obesity tax". Because obesity and the resulting diseases seriously threaten people

To curb obesity

Just as the introduction of many taxes has been opposed, there are also many who disagree on the levy of "obesity tax". Food vendors are certainly the backbone of the opposition. The World's Largest Food, Beverage and Consumer Goods Organization-American Food

Obesity tax measures overweight

Obesity tax netizens support

Ryanair proposes various cost-saving measures online and initiates voting activities. About 100,000 passengers participated in the vote, of which the measure of "obesity tax" received the highest support. Among the cost-saving measures, nearly one-third voted in favour of an "obesity tax" on obese or overweight passengers. The criteria for measuring overweight are: weight, waist circumference, body fat index, or as long as both sides of the passenger's body touch the armrest, additional charges are required.

In addition to the "obesity tax", the company also proposed measures such as the sale of toilet paper, paid use of smoking rooms and the company's website, but all were not very popular.

Obesity tax experts oppose

Despite high online calls, the "obesity tax" has been opposed by nutritionists and obesity experts who believe that this measure is not feasible and discriminatory.

David Aslan, chairman of the National Obesity Forum and obesity expert, said: "It's impossible to levy an 'obesity tax.' Imagine a football player like Jonah Lomou simply because the body fat index exceeds the standard Need to pay extra? "

"Airlines have to take everyone's feelings into account. Those with overweight passengers sitting next to them are really uncomfortable, but don't forget that because the seats are too small, overweight passengers feel quite restrained themselves," he said.

Obesity Tax Company Refutes

Faced with expert accusations, Ryanair challenged.

McNamara said the plan only applies to "those who are so large that they encroach on the surrounding passenger space."

He said the surcharge would benefit all passengers. On the one hand, the benefits of the "obesity tax" can further reduce the price of air tickets in the future; on the other hand, it is also beneficial to the health of obese passengers in the long run.

"Once the company begins to impose an 'obesity tax', obese people will be stimulated and begin to lose weight, which is good for them," he said.

But this claim has been refuted by health experts who say such measures will not help encourage diet or exercise.