© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.

British PM Cameron Considering Fat Tax in U.K.

"Don't rule anything out..."

As health concerns in the United Kingdom grow, Conservative Party Prime Minister David Cameron is reportedly considering introducing a "fat tax" to trim down Britain's obesity problem.

Reflecting on the new tax in Denmark on foods that contain more than 2.3% saturated fat, Cameron told interviewers at his Party's conference in Manchester, "I think it is something that we should look at."

The Guardian reports that Cameron went on to more or less say that at least his country is healthier than America:

"'But frankly, do we have a problem with the growing level of obesity? Yes. Do we have a kind of warning in terms of – look at America, how bad things have got there – what happens if we don't do anything? Yes, that should be a wake-up call.'

He added: 'I am worried about the costs to the health service, [and] the fact that some people are going to have shorter lives than their parents.'

He warned that obesity was on the verge of overtaking smoking and drinking as the biggest health challenge facing Britain."

The Danish tax saw negative reactions from many citizens, as the BBC News reports consumers have begun to hoard products before the tax goes into effect, scientists have said saturated fat is the wrong target, and producers have called the tax a bureaucratic nightmare.

Before bashing American waistlines, Cameron should perhaps look in the mirror. A recent BUPA study found that the middle-aged in Britain in comparison to their peers worldwide are more overweight, more depressed, and more likely to smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day. In early September, Scottish officials took four obese children away from their parents after warnings to help their kids trim down apparently failed, despite parental efforts to make a healthier home.

In closing his response to interviewers, Cameron said in regards to the nanny-state policy "Don't rule anything out, but let's look at the evidence and let's look at the impact on families."

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?