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Scottish Doctors Reject Chocolate Tax Call. Dec 16, 09
Scottish Doctors Reject Chocolate Tax Call
3:24pm UK, Thursday March 12, 2009
Doctors in Scotland have rejected a call for chocolate to be taxed to help Britain get to grips with its obesity epidemic.
Pile Of Chocolate
Chocolate can be a dangerous food, one doctor believes
Dr David Walker earlier called for the tax because he said he believed that chocolate was a "major player" in the problem of the country's expanding waistlines.
Taxing the treat would raise its profile as an unhealthy food which could contribute to weight-related conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and back pain, the Lanarkshire GP said.
"What I'm trying to get across is that chocolate is sneaking under the radar of unhealthy foods," said the doctor from Airdrie Health Centre.
"I am disappointed that the motion was not supported by the conference, however, I am pleased that it has stimulated debate on obesity and the worryingly high levels of diabetes in Scotland.
180 chocolate bars
Chocolate: a sweet treat?
"A little of what you fancy may do you some good, but as nearly one in four people in Scotland are obese, lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet and larger portion sizes are clearly taking their toll on the health of Scotland."
Diabetes UK said the key to tackling the UK's obesity problem was information and education.
The health charity's Natasha Marsland said: "We don't believe that a 'chocolate tax' is the right approach to help diminish the number of people who are overweight or obese in the UK.
"Instead, better education and information are needed to help people make the right food choices.
Taxing chocolate was the subject of today's webchat - see the replay.
"People should also be encouraged to increase their physical activity as a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."
Food industry leaders were also against the idea, saying such a proposal would result only in lighter wallets, not smaller waists.
Food and Drink Federation spokesman Julian Hunt said: "Introducing regressive taxes on the foods that consumers love would result only in lighter wallets, not smaller waists - particularly as we already have to pay VAT on all our chocolate purchases.
"There is no evidence to suggest that such 'fat taxes' would actually work in reality.
"Indeed, when the BMA debated a similar motion in 2003 its members voted against such an idea on the grounds that such a taxation policy would have no effect on obesity, would hit lower income groups hardest and would be a bureaucratic nightmare."
What I'm trying to get across is that chocolate is sneaking under the radar of unhealthy foods.
Dr David Walker, Lanarkshire GP
James Auton of the Chocolate Society which has around 6,000 members said his group was against such a tax.
"A distinction needs to be made between the lower quality confectionery available in large bags and bars containing high levels of sugar and fat, and higher quality chocolate," he told Sky News online.
"The latter generally has a higher cocoa content, and which, when enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, may be beneficial to both body and mind.
"Ultimately, I do not agree with the call to tax chocolate as I think it is both missing the point, and unlikely to yield results."
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Comments to the story
*
The taxation idea is indeed ridiculous. However, to reject ANY connection between chocolate and overweight or obesity is to enter into denial. A former chocoholic, I cut my consumption by around 80% and demonstrated very clearly that it had long prevented me losing weight.
If you can't stop eating chocolate, how about learning to like REAL chocolate, unadulterated by milk or other fatty contaminants? Look for at least 85% cocoa, and if you can, work up to the delight of 98% bitter chocolate, which has the added benefit of being very low on sugar. Milk chocolate is for those who don't really like the taste of chocolate unless it is masked by various kinds of fat. Two glasses of milk in every bar? Sorry, I prefer and pay for chocolate. If I want milk I'll drink some.
As for the myriad of vaguely chocolate-flavoured bars with silly names - they mainly use SYNTHETIC chocolate flavours to enliven what are otherwise just packets of fat.
Posted By :Bill Report This
*
Dr David Walker, what planet are you on, its the food industry that is the problem, too many lovely sticky creamy cakes and puddings , chocolate has got nothing to do with it. Kids don't excercise any more only there hands on the game boxes, there is no outside activities like footie in the park unless supervised by parents
Posted By :Jan Report This
*
Why should we be taxed for other people's greed? There is only one cause of obesity and that is eating and drinking too much. For the rest of us chocolate is a treat, maybe once a day, maybe once a week, but not in excess. Tax clothes according to size, that will encourage them to eat less.
Posted By :Jill Report This
Read more comments (Page Expands)
*
Once again we hear utter nonsense from someone who hasnt got a clue on the realities of life. Put a tax on bread, put a tax on Jam, put a tax on cocoa pops. Everything kills you if you eat to much. The only thing this doctor is achieving is extra revenue for the govrnment theives. It`s alright for him, he wont notice the tax on a bar of chocolate, many people will. What a waste of publicity.
Posted By :Mo Report This
*
i think the huge fry ups in the mornings and the fact that we like frying the choc bars have more to do with the weight problems than the choc itself.
Posted By :sophie nicol Report This
*
Yet another proposed tax,......
it's madness the government will soon control everything, i see that unless you 'opt-out' they will claim your body parts upon death for transplants.
Join the Facebook group "Say NO to Tax on Chocolate"
Posted By :Martyn Report This
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Why would an expert on Diabetes take a stand against this issue? I agree that education is the key , but at some point we need to try new ideas and new concepts. Our community needs to promote a Fat Conversation.
3:24pm UK, Thursday March 12, 2009
Doctors in Scotland have rejected a call for chocolate to be taxed to help Britain get to grips with its obesity epidemic.
Pile Of Chocolate
Chocolate can be a dangerous food, one doctor believes
Dr David Walker earlier called for the tax because he said he believed that chocolate was a "major player" in the problem of the country's expanding waistlines.
Taxing the treat would raise its profile as an unhealthy food which could contribute to weight-related conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and back pain, the Lanarkshire GP said.
"What I'm trying to get across is that chocolate is sneaking under the radar of unhealthy foods," said the doctor from Airdrie Health Centre.
"I am disappointed that the motion was not supported by the conference, however, I am pleased that it has stimulated debate on obesity and the worryingly high levels of diabetes in Scotland.
180 chocolate bars
Chocolate: a sweet treat?
"A little of what you fancy may do you some good, but as nearly one in four people in Scotland are obese, lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet and larger portion sizes are clearly taking their toll on the health of Scotland."
Diabetes UK said the key to tackling the UK's obesity problem was information and education.
The health charity's Natasha Marsland said: "We don't believe that a 'chocolate tax' is the right approach to help diminish the number of people who are overweight or obese in the UK.
"Instead, better education and information are needed to help people make the right food choices.
Taxing chocolate was the subject of today's webchat - see the replay.
"People should also be encouraged to increase their physical activity as a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."
Food industry leaders were also against the idea, saying such a proposal would result only in lighter wallets, not smaller waists.
Food and Drink Federation spokesman Julian Hunt said: "Introducing regressive taxes on the foods that consumers love would result only in lighter wallets, not smaller waists - particularly as we already have to pay VAT on all our chocolate purchases.
"There is no evidence to suggest that such 'fat taxes' would actually work in reality.
"Indeed, when the BMA debated a similar motion in 2003 its members voted against such an idea on the grounds that such a taxation policy would have no effect on obesity, would hit lower income groups hardest and would be a bureaucratic nightmare."
What I'm trying to get across is that chocolate is sneaking under the radar of unhealthy foods.
Dr David Walker, Lanarkshire GP
James Auton of the Chocolate Society which has around 6,000 members said his group was against such a tax.
"A distinction needs to be made between the lower quality confectionery available in large bags and bars containing high levels of sugar and fat, and higher quality chocolate," he told Sky News online.
"The latter generally has a higher cocoa content, and which, when enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, may be beneficial to both body and mind.
"Ultimately, I do not agree with the call to tax chocolate as I think it is both missing the point, and unlikely to yield results."
* Bookmark
* Comment
* Track Story
Bookmark the story
Scottish Doctors Reject Chocolate Tax Call
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Scottish Doctors Reject Chocolate Tax Call
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MORE ON THIS STORY: Cadbury
* Cadbury sign
Dec 15,2009
Kraft Responds To Cadbury Rejection
* Cadbury's Dairy Milk
Dec 15,2009
'Cadbury For Sale At Right Price'
*
Video
Cadbury's Dairy Milk 9:00
Dec 14,2009
Cadbury 'For Sale At Right Price'
* Dairy Milk bars
Dec 14,2009
Kraft 'Trying To Buy Cadbury Cheap'
*
Video
Bars of chocolate on the production line 2:28
Dec 14,2009
Cadbury's Defends Against Takeover
* Cadbury's Dairy Milk
Dec 14,2009
Cadbury Takeover Bid 'Sucks'
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Nov 18,2009
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* Cadbury's Dairy Milk
Nov 09,2009
Cadbury Rejects Kraft's New Bid
*
Video
Cadbury 2:42
Nov 09,2009
Kraft's Hostile Bid For Cadbury
*
Oct 21,2009
Choc Sales Boost Cadbury Confidence
Comments to the story
*
The taxation idea is indeed ridiculous. However, to reject ANY connection between chocolate and overweight or obesity is to enter into denial. A former chocoholic, I cut my consumption by around 80% and demonstrated very clearly that it had long prevented me losing weight.
If you can't stop eating chocolate, how about learning to like REAL chocolate, unadulterated by milk or other fatty contaminants? Look for at least 85% cocoa, and if you can, work up to the delight of 98% bitter chocolate, which has the added benefit of being very low on sugar. Milk chocolate is for those who don't really like the taste of chocolate unless it is masked by various kinds of fat. Two glasses of milk in every bar? Sorry, I prefer and pay for chocolate. If I want milk I'll drink some.
As for the myriad of vaguely chocolate-flavoured bars with silly names - they mainly use SYNTHETIC chocolate flavours to enliven what are otherwise just packets of fat.
Posted By :Bill Report This
*
Dr David Walker, what planet are you on, its the food industry that is the problem, too many lovely sticky creamy cakes and puddings , chocolate has got nothing to do with it. Kids don't excercise any more only there hands on the game boxes, there is no outside activities like footie in the park unless supervised by parents
Posted By :Jan Report This
*
Why should we be taxed for other people's greed? There is only one cause of obesity and that is eating and drinking too much. For the rest of us chocolate is a treat, maybe once a day, maybe once a week, but not in excess. Tax clothes according to size, that will encourage them to eat less.
Posted By :Jill Report This
Read more comments (Page Expands)
*
Once again we hear utter nonsense from someone who hasnt got a clue on the realities of life. Put a tax on bread, put a tax on Jam, put a tax on cocoa pops. Everything kills you if you eat to much. The only thing this doctor is achieving is extra revenue for the govrnment theives. It`s alright for him, he wont notice the tax on a bar of chocolate, many people will. What a waste of publicity.
Posted By :Mo Report This
*
i think the huge fry ups in the mornings and the fact that we like frying the choc bars have more to do with the weight problems than the choc itself.
Posted By :sophie nicol Report This
*
Yet another proposed tax,......
it's madness the government will soon control everything, i see that unless you 'opt-out' they will claim your body parts upon death for transplants.
Join the Facebook group "Say NO to Tax on Chocolate"
Posted By :Martyn Report This
Have your say
Enter your Comment
Name:*
Email:*
Location:
Submit your Comment:* (limit: 1000 characters including spaces.)
We will not publish your email address. Comments on news stories are pre-moderated. Please remember that by submitting material you agree to Sky's Terms & Conditions.
Choose Your News
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Help
Use the drop down menu below to filter stories and videos the way you want - when you want it!
Pick your News
*
Model Twiggy Ad Watchdog Slams Twiggy Olay Photo chevron
*
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*
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*
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*
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*
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*
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*
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*
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* Daily Express Wednesday's Front Pages chevron
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Why would an expert on Diabetes take a stand against this issue? I agree that education is the key , but at some point we need to try new ideas and new concepts. Our community needs to promote a Fat Conversation.
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