Hippy Hamburgers!

[rory_20_uk]

Obviously I exaggerated when I said 15$, but some small increase in price (5, 10, 15%) wouldn't be bad. In the case of America, we're talking billions of dollars and people would eat junk food less. If the downside is that MCD and similar junk food restaurants earn less money, I certainly wouldn't cry a river.

It should be followed with emphasis on proper physical education of kids and education about food, naturally.

And think of percentages and health issues. I've read that obesity is gonna surpass smoking as No.1 preventable cause of death in the US very soon, if it didn't already. Even if the principle is the same, dildo industry still doesn't strain health budget of the US.

It means more sick people which translates into less money and more spending.

The fact remains that most of price of cigarettes is already tax. If the government decides to use that to build a bridge or finance war in Iraq, that's not my problem and I shouldn't be taxed again because of that. Also, in the US and most western European countries I've visited, smoking is forbidden in most public places.

It's not just the amount of calories or fat, it is also about type of calories and fat. If fast food restaurants adapt and start selling better food, the result would be less obese people and less health spending which solves the problem in a different, better, way. That's kind of the point of it all, just like the point of cigarette tax isn't to bring more money to the government but to make people smoke less.

First off with the cigarette tax I agree that in the USA you're charged twice. But then the health system in the USA is not fit for purpose...

Yes, fast food joints need to adapt their menus. That's in essence what a tax on fatty foods would achieve! Most aren't going to just raise prices or loose customers. Their foods are fatty, salty and sugary as these are three things that humans are driven to have. Bunging them all together is a great way of getting customers - unless the cost would be prohibitive.
More exercise? Sure, no complaints there, but I did not mention that as it was not directly related to the issue being discussed.