Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton has called for a 20% tax on junk food to help fight against obesity, a growing problem in the developed world.
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Stanton told a Sydney newspaper that junk foods are generally very cheap, which informs purchasing decision. Making them more expensive may incline consumers to buy healthier snacks instead, such as fruit.
The money raised through the levy could be channelled directly into health promotion, she suggested. She likened the suggestion to cigarettes, which are subject to high taxes. “We do know that every time the price of cigarettes went up, consumption went down,” she said. “Of course, none of this would matter if we had an active population. But we don’t.”
While Australians enjoy an international reputation for healthy lifestyle and exercise, obesity is a significant problem. One in five children and more than half the adult population is overweight or obese.
