Fat Tax... its finally here. Is it fair?

We knew it might be coming, but now its here in Australia. What are your opinions?

(Taken from an international news site)

"OBESE airline passengers should be forced to pay a "fat tax" to cover the cost of transporting their excess weight, according to a controversial proposal by health experts.

Calls for the tax - which would be determined per extra kilo, in the same way as excess baggage - come as obesity rates and fuel prices surge to new highs in Australia."

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Discussion Add On

So is this fat tax fair?

I personally think, its very discriminating...
but they're only doing it because... well they kinda have to...

wow! that's just plain RUDE!! I agree^

Poor Bappi Lahiri! He's not going to be happy about this! 😆

^^^^^^Lmaooooo 🤣

Great discussion btw, added on one point and made it to the GD GA board as tis is very interesting indeed to hear people's opnions!!!!

-Saira

article from BBC on issue

Australia airline 'fat tax' urged

Insurance companies impose higher premiums on overweight clients A leading Australian nutritionist has urged airlines to charge obese passengers more for their seats. Dr John Tickell believes a "fat tax" would highlight his country's obesity crisis and make commercial sense, as heavier loads increase fuel costs. But health groups have warned that to single out people with weight problems could cause them emotional stress. Recent studies estimate that 67% of Australian men and over half of women aged over 25 are overweight or obese. Experts have warned that by 2030 half of the country's children will be overweight or obese if the problem goes unchecked. In March, Australian health officials were forced to equip their fleet of ambulances with heavy-duty stretchers to cope with the sharp rise in overweight patients. 'Too precious' Dr Tickell, a leading nutritionist and author, told the BBC that society should take a more hardline stance against obesity and get tough on fat airline passengers. He said that Australian airlines should impose charges on their overweight clients, as they do for excess baggage, because heavier loads increase fuel costs. It's not fair to single out those people who have a problem, which is already impacting greatly on their life, and make them feel like pariahs Dr Tim Gill Australasian Obesity Society "I fly Sydney to Perth - five hours - and being totally disadvantaged by some huge person next to me literally flopping over into my seat. Why should I pay the same as them?" he asked. Dr Tickell said it was important to start highlighting Australia's obesity crisis. "I think we're a bit too nice, we're a bit too precious about minority groups. I think the majority group must have something to say too," he added. HAVE YOUR SAY Does this mean thin people get a rebate on their airfare? Nick F, Liverpool Send us your comments But the chief executive of the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity, Dr Tim Gill, said penalty charges should not be imposed on overweight passengers. "It's not fair to single out those people who have a problem, which is already impacting greatly on their life, and make them feel like pariahs," he said. A spokesman for the Australian budget airline, Jetstar, said it had no plans to charge larger passengers more for their seats. Airlines are, however, monitoring long-term trends in the size and shape of their customers, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7090529.stm

Thankyou sooo much, for the help and extra info Saira 😃
Lol yah bappi lahiri

OMG! It's really happening...??

Okay..i know obesity is a serious health problem and one of the main causes of Heart failure and death...but i think sometimes these people can't help that they are like that..it can be genetic too nah.. 😕

Gosh i'm shocked coz i don't think It's fair to single out those poor obese people....they will deffo feel like pariahs, which is just not done

Thanks for the Info..Riddles and Saira 😛

Love,
Gracella

thats sad and pathetic too pick on overweight people, its disgusting to humiliate them like this 😡

umm.. i kno eh?
Especially in Australia... like the country with the most overweight people... or second...

Its probably gonna lead people to depression or stress or like... bulimia or anorexia...

Thanks for the articles, guys!

I am shocked to read this. This is just not fair to single out people like this and humiliate them.

Obesity is a very serious health matter and it can lead to horrible health problems but this is not a reason to hurt people's feelings. Obesity can be genetic and some people just don't have fast metabolism rates. So it's not their fault.

Instead of humiliating people like this, the governments should help set up more programs to help the obese people so it can actually help their health.