Denmark is the first country in the World to impose a Fat Tax

[SFGadFly]

Wow, if we implemented anything like that in the U.S., people would eat much better, we'd see some of the national waist line slim, an improvement in the general health and mortality rates (like heart disease), but it won't be a panacea for addressing some common misconceptions about eating, food, and weight. But, hey - we might pay down some of that debt in the process of a good discussion. Height/weight charts must be re-drawn to various body types, and not written by insurances but drs.

[WhenIdreamaboutyou]

I like the fat tax, and it's not controlling people, they can still buy it, they just have to pay a little more, so what? I know some people might not be able so buy pizza every other day, but really, you souldn't be eating so much fat. Veggies will become cheaper now, because of the fat tax. This is a good thing. It's like taxing cigarettes and alcohol - if you really need it, you'll buy it, or realize that you don't need it and not buying it.

[suitmeup1]

@WhenIdreamaboutyou Hi im from Denmark, its true that we got a fat tax here, but we dont get veggies any cheaper, they will remain the same price as before the fat tax. It would be the same if the government rised the tax for alcohol, soda and/or water would'nt get cheaper because of this, the price would remain.

[spyN09]

Well, the danish Government is just trying to bring in more money in this finansial crisis. What's more is that actually more than around 55 % of the Danish population are overweight. At some point I see the concern from the Government's side of the case, however, I don't think that this going to make anything good. If they wanted to make real changes they should lower the prices of healthy fruit and healthy food in general (I am danish and I'm no where near being fat)

[SFGadFly]

@spyN09 Fifty-five percent of the Danish are overweight? Compared to who, Somalis? Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist's time? Potato-famined Irish? I understand governments of the world are struggling to come up with more sources of income to stop the fiscal hemorrhaging from expenditures, but to call your population 'fat' is a bit disingenuous when their reputation isn't for having sedentary life-styles. At least in my country, we've established that reputation - go USA!

[spyN09]

@SFGadFly - If you just had a little imagination you'd see that it's of course 55 % of the entire Danish population. But are you really that terrified about when a government states facts? Who cares if over half the population Denmark is overweight? I really can't see why you have to be so butthurt over it. And yeah everyone knows that in the USA way too many people are fat :) XXL large meals and 3 liters cola for each meal... Only in America. ;)

[SFGadFly]

@spyN09 I'll certainly agree that it takes some imagination to see 55 percent of the Danish population as being overweight. The Danish have always worked that fit and in-shape people who do a lot of biking and outdoor sports after putting their swords down centuries ago. Now, if you 'll excuse me, I have to go stuff my face with three super-sized Big Macs (TM), a barrel of Coke (TM), and grab a heart monitor on my way home.

[mikethk]

@OderuntDumMetuant

Look at it this way. . . Some ppl eat so they get fat. Those ppl get sick. They go to hospital and cost money. ALOT of money. My money. I'm not fat. Im healthy and pay my taxes.

Those who are fat now pays more taxes, so they pay more of there own time on the hospital.

It will also reduce fat ppl on hospitals, so there will be more money to cure cancer.

Only bad thing.... This makes life harder for fat ppl. Those who cant stop eating fat will be more losers now.

[Dualspec]

@OderuntDumMetuant people dont accept it. problem here in Denmark and generaly for most countrys overseas here is> That in the danish constitution it says that any kind of tax reform "people are not allowed to vote or have influence on tax reforms" unless the government allows it. So we cant vote for it.

They also want a city ring around Copenhagen so it cost cash to drive in/out, pass it. And we cant vote for that either, becourse the government says its similar to the tax law. Its sad :(

[Dualspec]

Dane here, yes its ridiculous. Denmark also have the highest tax-burden in the world if you put all taxes and hidden-taxes combined together.

And just to make it all worse, we just got a new "Tax-Minister", the youngest to this very date of chosen minister post in Denmarks history, only 26 years old.

Whats next, a PM of 24 years old ! (wouldt suprice me)

The politicians today is dumb down and naive, from whats going on in the physical world. Most of them live in a "utopia halleluja dream"