An obesity expert has urged the Welsh government to take action to stem the increasing number of obese people in Wales. Dr Nadim Haboubi, a weight management expert, has called upon the government to tax fatty foods responsible for the obesity surge. The 2008 Welsh health survey figures show that 21% of people in Wales were obese.
In addition to taxes on fatty foods, he wants a subsidy on healthy foods like organic food, vegetables and low-fat food. He points out that there are taxes on commodities such as alcohol and tobacco which are considered harmful to your health, so why not on fatty foods?
Dr Haboubi realises that the tax he advocates must involve supermarkets and health and well being professionals, in addition to the government.
Unfortunately the Welsh government has responded by stating it does not have tax levying powers. Nevertheless it does not rule out the possibility of the devolution of tax raising functions in the future. The government certainly realises the issues surrounding increasing obesity in Wales but a fatty food tax is beyond its powers.
Denmark is the first country to introduce a fat tax which is levied on foods comprising in excess of 2.3% saturated fat.
BBC Wales states that the Welsh Ambulance Service has taken measures to cater for the obesity surge spending in excess of £3m adapting 42 ambulances. There is an obvious knock on effect of obesity on the costs of welfare and health services.