Cause and Effects of Fast Food

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Fast food is spreading rapidly, across the globe, particularly in developing countries. As a result, there has been a significant increase in obesity. A fat tax has been suggested to reduce the number of overweight people. Although the fat tax may affect employment, in my opinion, it is useful for three reasons. Firstly, a fat tax would have to increase the price of unhealthy food and drinks by as much as 25%, in order to cut consumption by enough to reduce obesity and other diet related diseases. On the other hand, this increase in the price of unhealthy food should be accompanied by subsidies on healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables to help encourage a significant shift in dietary habits. Healthy foods may play more of a role in the future in the reduction of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and tooth decay, as well as obesity. Another reason is that a fat tax would increase government income. As a result, the government will be able to collect more tax from the fast food industry. This income tax from fast food can then be used to create programmes such as eating awareness and to fund research into obesity and related diseases. In addition, if a fat tax is introduced, poor people may not be able to afford fast food. More people will resist buying fast food and therefore avoid junk food because of the expense. For example, in China, the government increased the tax on fast food by 50% to stop people eating it. This might encourage people to buy healthier food and reduce obesity. Finally, more people would choose healthier food if a fat tax was imposed. Healthier food is cheaper than fast food and it can be easily found in supermarkets and small shops. As a result, it encourages people to cook at home. For example, in the past, families cooked healthy, traditional food and the whole family ate together. In conclusion, a fat tax is

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