A new tax on the horizon? The left proposes a “fat tax” to combat obesity

Are we going to see an increase in unhealthy food prices? Łukasz Michnik, spokesman for the Young Left and a candidate for an MP, in an interview on Radio ZET presented the proposal to introduce a new fiscal burden, the so-called fat tax. This solution is intended to hit producers of highly processed food and support the health care budget.

During a conversation in the “Guest of Radio ZET” program, Łukasz Michnik referred to the dramatic statistics regarding the health of Poles, including the growing problem of obesity, especially among children. According to the Leftist politician, nutritional education is not enough and systemic fiscal solutions are necessary to discourage consumers from reaching for harmful products.

Fat tax – what does it involve?

The proposal assumes the imposition of additional fees for products containing saturated fatty acids, salt and excess sugar, i.e. mainly highly processed foods, fast food and salty snacks. This mechanism would operate analogously to the sugar tax (on sweet drinks) already operating in Poland or the fee on the so-called monkeys.

Michnik argued that currently unhealthy food is often the cheapest option, which is a “market pathology.” The introduction of the tax would increase the prices of these products, which would naturally redirect consumer choices towards healthier food.

Fat tax – a new idea from the Left for a healthy, happy and wealthy society

Taxes are a path to a better life pic.twitter.com/cL6aTi8UTd

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Money straight to the National Health Fund

The key element of the Left's proposal is the appropriateness of the new fee. The funds obtained from the “fat tax” would not go to the general state budget, but would be entirely allocated to the National Health Fundand.

– Treating obesity and related diseases costs us billions of zlotys every year. It is fair that these costs should also be borne by those who earn a fortune from the production of unhealthy food, Michnik suggested in the interview.

Controversy around the idea

However, the idea may be controversial. In the era of inflation, each new tax is another hit on Poles' wallets, and the increase in the price of cheap, although unhealthy food, will affect the poorest people the most. However, the representative of the Left defends the idea, claiming that the long-term social costs of not reacting to the obesity epidemic will be much higher for Poles than an increase in the price of a packet of crisps.

Supporters of the solution point to the success of the sugar tax in Poland – after its introduction, sales of sweetened drinks dropped by several percent.

prepared by COGS

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