Government Tax on Fast Food
IntroductionOver the years, medical experts have been battling the fast foods health related problems. Some of these health problems include obesity and weight-related health issues such as diabetes. However, this has not been a success for the Australian government. Relying on the food industry to control diet has been unsuccessful. The food manufacturers are concerned with the acquired profit but not the public health. This can only change when another force takes things to another direction. The Australian Medical Association has been on the forefront in this noble fight to save the Australian people. The association established in 1962 after the merger of British medical association branches. It advocates on behalf of its members and the society at the federal state and territory state. Through research, the association has discovered that fighting these illnesses requires more than use of drugs lowering cholesterol or working out in gymnasiums. Introduction of a fast foods tax would be an important intervention in Australia; this will assist the medical experts in winning the fast foods health related illnesses fight. The following are the arguments of the Australian Medical Association as to why the government should impose taxes on fast foods.Taxes imposed can be used to fund healthier feedingIt is the responsibility of the federal and state governments to safeguard the public health by making sure they consume quality products. Currently fast foods are cheap and convenient to get. Imposing higher taxes will make the foods relatively expensive. The consumer will think of its health effects compared to its price before purchasing. The government will acquire enough revenue to fund subsidization of healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seasonal greens. Healthy foods that are currently expensive could be offered at a cheaper price and would be available in more areas. When the taxes on fast foods move up people would avoid paying that much of them. People would opt to buy healthier food, this would help in lowering the obesity rates. Taxing fast foods would make more Australians reluctant to purchase and eat it. The purpose of this would be to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods. Taxing fast foods would result into better financial stability of the government and less fast foods related health problems.Taxed revenue can fund projects to regulate fast foodsThe tax would generate money for relevant causes such as nutrition education and advertising against fast foods. Many Australians consume fast foods innocently without realizing the health risks they are causing to their selves. Proper nutrition education would inform the people of these risks and the best corrective measures they should take. In the long run, educated citizens will consider the possibility of reducing fast foods consumption. This will solve the problem; therefore taxing fast foods would help fund projects to counter its existence and its effects.
Lowering government spending on diabetes and fast foods related illnesses treatmentFighting obesity has taken a large portion of government budget each year. According to a study of Alert Einstein College, animals were found to lose the ability to respond to Leptin after a high fat diet just after 72 hours (Diabetes, vol 50, p 2786). These hormones’ disability results into many health problems. The government has the responsibility of providing heath care funds to treat these complications. If fast foods consumption is reduced by higher taxes, lower spending for the government to fight the fast foods related illnesses.Reduce fast food related illnesses and deathsFast foods cause overweight over time. They contain low nutritional value, just calories; salts, sugar and high saturated fats. The human stomach finds problems digesting these constituents. Finally, obesity and death are inevitable to the populations. A research conducted in Washington compared 370 foods prices, calorie for calorie. The researchers found out that fast foods cost less than fruits and vegetables; In addition they are less likely to rise as a result of inflation (Pope, 2007). Due to this fact, fast foods have become a cheap killer ad which can live longer and survive even in the hardest times like inflations.There are counter arguments by some people who claim that fast foods are not the main cause of obesity and cancer. They argue that today the production of food products is fully chemical enhanced ad that these chemicals are the main cause of these illnesses. Contrary to this I think that from research due to the high level of calories in fast foods and the addiction it causes to tits consumers, fast foods these health problems.The many health problems consumption of fast foods causes makes it inevitable to impose measures to counter its effects. Application of a tax is a good step to help reduce consumption of the fast foods. This will result into a healthier wealthier nation.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION ON BUSINESSGovernment regulation is an important factor to help ensure smooth operation of businesses.Its objective is to ensure regulatory lever works efficiently, ensuring that regulatory frameworks and regulations are all in line with the public interest. This enables the government to protect the public form harm ad exploitation. Australia government should gain control to regulate commercial activities. In a time of financial and economic crisis, government regulation is important so as to help overcome the public policy problems.
It is important for people to think about the importance of the government regulation in supporting social welfare ad growth from the financial and economic crisis. Government regulation ensures good relationship between citizens, the state ad their businesses. The government exercises its regulation power through its various roles.Government regulation facilitates business Contracts enforcement. Government regulation is an important factor because it provides a platform where the two parties make an agreement and swear to honor it. The government is able to follow up to ensure the agreements are honored. In case one party fails in this, the other party will turn to the legal system to ask for enforcement.Government regulation enhances customer protection. The government plays an important role in protecting the interests of the customer. Government arms established hold producers responsible when a product causes harm to an individual. Low quality products are rejected so as to compel producers to make quality products.Regulation enables Protection of workers. If employers are left without regulation by the government they would be unfair to their employees in terms of salaries, working condition and nepotism. Government branches are established to protect workers from discrimination and make sure their rights are delivered by their employers. The government regulation aids in Protection of the environment. It is the responsibility of the government to regulate externalities which come in when making transactions. Government regulation on businesses ensures that all financial information is made public thus protecting investors rights. This enables them to make sure decisions about future investments.
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