Assignment 2

Increased Taxing of Junk Food Is Not a Solution

Today a growing number of people are suffering from obesity and other serious health issues mainly because they live on food that is easily accessible but unhealthy and fat. Indeed, the food industry has devoted itself to producing and selling this “junk food”. Frozen pizzas, burgers and almost every other imaginable meal are available in the nearest supermarket - and people buy these products without hesitation.

It may thus seem like a reasonable idea to put extra taxes on junk food to encourage a more healthy diet. This, however, is a very simplified view and there are several strong reasons that tell against the effectiveness of such a measure. Therefore, as is argued below, junk food should not be more heavily taxed than health food.

First and foremost, there is no clear definition of what food qualifies as "junk food" and hence it is hard to decide which products should be taxed. The term is rather informal, and there are no established scientific guidelines showing exactly how to make the distinction. Thus, as long as we do not know what junk food is, there is little point in trying to tax such products.

Also, the idea of taxing junk food for similar reasons as for taxing legal drugs is hardly justifiable. The former does not have the same effects on the human body as the latter– and does not create addicts. Thus, it is not the food itself that is dangerous, but the fact that people overuse it. What is needed is a varied and nutritious diet (and an active lifestyle) and people can eat all the junk food they want.

If junk food were to be more heavily taxed, then food companies would likely try to reduce costs and produce even “junkier” food in order to maintain the same prices. This development can already be seen today as companies try to maximize their profits due to fierce competition. Hence the problem with unhealthy food will not only remain, it is likely to become even worse.

Supporters of increased taxes would probably argue that this approach will automatically make people rethink their eating patterns. But people are likely to continue their habits since the convenience of ready-to-eat food will easily outweigh the question of price. They are likely to cut down on something else if necessary. However that may be, people will still be eating the same food.

Another argument for increasing the taxes is that the costs of preventive care and medical treatments of obesity will be covered. It is questionable, however, if such treatment will help reduce the large-scale problem. Again, as long as the food remains in the shelves there will be people buying it. A better idea may thus be to take action to encourage the production of healthy food that is inexpensive - and thus attractive.

To conclude, it has been shown that there are a number of practical issues involved in increasing the taxes on junk food, and it is also highly questionable whether this - if carried out - would have the desired effect or not. Clearly, the arguments in favor of increased taxing do not hold water. It may hence be a better idea to focus on other ways to make people consider more healthy alternatives.