Should the Government Pass a Fat Tax Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Should the Government Pass a Fat Tax - Article Example The underlining belief is that in increasing the cost of these products, individuals will be more motivated to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Still, some health activists counter that such a tax is wrong-headed in that rather than imbuing individuals with a sense of personal responsibility, it attempts to arbitrarily enforce healthy living. This essay considers the nature of the fat tax, arguing that in terms of the current social climate such a tax is justified.   In considering the nature of a fat tax it’s necessary to consider whether there is a legitimate connection between increased food costs and their reduced consumption. A recent research article conducted by the University of Minnesota titled ‘Pricing Effects on Food Choices’ investigated this connection (French 2003). This report indicated that there was a significant connection between increased food prices and the reduced consumption of these foods. Consider French (2003) when she writes,   Compared w ith usual price conditions, price reductions resulted in a four-fold increase in fresh fruit sales and a two-fold increase in baby carrot sales. Both studies demonstrate that price reductions are an effective strategy to increase the purchase of more healthful foods in community-based settings such as work sites and schools.In these regards, the study indicates that in increasing the cost of high-calorie food there was a corresponding increase in the purchase of healthier food options.