The fat tax

My boyfriend and I were debating whether or not banning trans-fats from restaurants and banning fast food restaurants from poor areas of town are bad ideas.

I said they are bad ideas, he said they're not--he opposes all bans, even on drugs (which I have to agree with--for some things, if people can't have it, they want it more. Just see how many American teens drink underage if you want an example.)

But as far as food goes, I believe there are some things Americans eat that just shouldn't be allowed on the market. Ever. Like trans fats and fast foods, refined sugars and processed foods (although I do enjoy a good slice of Velveeta every now and again).

So when I read an article yesterday about France considering a tax on fatty foods, I naturally agreed with the idea. It's not a ban, but it prevents poor people from being forced into obesity because they can't afford healthier foods.

You see, fast foods are cheap. They are quick and easy to get. Low-income areas are rife with fast food restaurants and convenience stores. I've heard several stories on NPR in which experts said the reason so many poor people are overweight is because (a) they can't afford many healthier products, (b) they work many hours, often more than one job to support their families, and don't have time to cook nutritious, balanced meals, and (c) fast food restaurants prey on low-income areas because of the cheap, quick and easy factors.

Obviously this isn't the whole story, but it's a pretty good argument for banning fast food restaurants. But if you're not into bans, a fatty-food tax seems like the way to go.

Sure, it would mean low-income families have to plan menus, shop accordingly and take the time to cook. But in the long run they won't have to pay for the side-effects of eating so much fatty and fast food (i.e. the stigma that goes with being obese and the cost of health problems associated with obesity).

I'm sure it's not a perfect solution, but something's gotta give.