British “Fat Tax” Would Mean More Intrusive Government

A “fat tax” on salty, sugary and fatty foods could save thousands of lives each year, according to a study published on Thursday. Researchers at Oxford University say that charging Value Added Tax (VAT) at 17.5 percent on foods deemed to be unhealthy would cut consumer demand and reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes. The purchase tax is already levied on a small number of products such as potato crisps, ice cream, confectionery and chocolate biscuits, but most food is exempt. The move could save an estimated 3,200 lives in Britain each year, according to the study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. …Any “fat tax” might be seen as an attack on personal freedom and would weigh more heavily on poorer families, the study warned. A food tax would raise average weekly household bills by 4.6 percent or 67 pence per person. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has previously rejected the idea as an example of the “nanny state” that might push people away from healthy food.

Does anything really need to be said here? Perhaps they can give tax breaks to those who eat health or work out? The government/NHS could write up exactly how every citizen should live and tax those who don’t follow. Fines for more severe infractions and imprisonment in health camp for the worst of them. It’s for their wellbeing… and the government does pay for the healthcare so they should have a say.

UK: Adult hyperactivity care ‘fails’

The NHS is failing people with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychiatrists have said. There are only a few clinics across the UK that treat the condition - also known as ADHD - which affects up to 4% of adults. Leading psychiatrists have called on the government to give the condition a higher priority. It is only in the last few years that strong evidence has emerged about the extent of ADHD in the adult population.

ADHD is not a disease, it’s not a disorder. It’s who and what you are. By changing the chemical makeup and function of the brain you are changing who that person is. If a person wants to make themselves more level or focused or whatever you want to call it, they are more then welcome to with whatever drugs they wish to use. However, I do not in any way shape or form want the government to be interested in changing the chemical makeup of its citizens. They can keep their soma. When you have comments like the following I worry. If driving fast and listening to loud music are signs of disease then we are all in trouble.

“You drive fast, you listen to loud music, you move job constantly all the time, you think nothing of moving house to house, you can’t settle and have stable relationships, your relationships with your family are on tenterhooks all the time because of how you are.” But Ms Christie was diagnosed with adult ADHD a couple of years ago, and started treatment at a clinic in Canterbury. “I’m a lot calmer than I was, more rational, I can think about things, rather than going and doing something instinctively I sit back and do what most adults do and think about the long-term consequences of doing that.”

Mad council stokes fag-ban fire

BARMY council officials ordered a pub to shut its windows to stop cigarette smoke drifting INSIDE. The enforcement officers warned that fumes from smokers outside could waft through and violate the ban. They told staff to keep all windows and doors closed throughout the summer months — or risk being fined. But last night the order was branded “ridiculous” by regulars at The Greyhound in Maidenhead, Berks.

This would be insane if you didn’t consider that the real goal of these restrictions is to work toward banning smoking all together. A win in this realm is one step closer to total control by the nanny state. Can’t have personal responsibility and liberty when the state is flipping the bill for your healthcare.

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