Campaigners urge the UK government to impose levies on fatty foods containing too much sugar or salt. The public reacts in various ways.
According to the most recent National Survey for Wales, approximately 34% of adults in Wales were estimated to be living with obesity. One of the major causes analysed by NHS is eating large amounts of processed or fast food – this is food that’s high in fat and sugar.
“Obesity is a significant health challenge, which affects 26% of adults and costs the NHS £11.8 bn per year”, said a government spokesman. Therefore, advocates from 35 health organizations believe taxing on junk food could stop people buying them and encourage them eat in a healthier way.
An executive of the Food Foundation said to the Guardian, “The government must now get bolder, creating real incentives to force the industry to align with public health goals, further and faster.”
We collected people’s opinions on taxing on unhealthy food and asked them if it is an effective way to reduce obesity rates.
Phoebe Parker, 22, college student
“They should encourage more people to eat healthier food by making it cheaper. They make unhealthy foods more expensive but they also make it a higher cost. What they should do is not just the price but education, educating people about cooking and healthy eating.”
Brandon Pope, 21, financial assistant
“The economic situation in the country now is bad and taxing on food will make it worse. We already have the sugar tax. The reason why I choose unhealthy food is because it’s more cheaper. Think about the price of strawberries, it’s 4 pounds.”
Ieuan Lewis, 76, retired architect
“Taxing is a good idea. For people at my age, less sugar I have the better. Although some say it’s a personal choice to buy junk food, the government is doing a necessary job. Even the price will increase, it is a good policy.”
Ben Webbe, 61, council worker
“Too much sugar is not good. But instead of imposing taxes, government should just make manufacturers put less sugar, less salt to their products. That is the right way to solve the problem from the root.”
David Jones, 43, civil servant
“I won’t stop buying sweet food if the prices are high, sometimes they are comfort food for me. People should be allowed to choose what they want to eat. It is not a right way, they can inform the public to understand not to force them.”
Sabastian Orris, 26, chef
“In my opinion, the government has already imposed tax on farmers who are producing healthy food, and it’s okay to tax those food factories. The sugar tax has already told people the reason, so the tax on junk food can be understood. “