This refers to the report, “Kerala imposes Fat Tax on junk food” (July 9). This is the first time in India that any State has imposed a Fat Tax, although Bihar had slapped a value added tax on packaged samosas, not for health reasons, but to earn revenue. Surely, this will help fight obesity that is throwing peoples lives into disarray. While those who are determined to eat junk food will do so irrespective of the tax, this tax will at least contribute to raising awareness about the deleterious effects of junk food. However, branded retail outlets will feel that they have been singled out for the tax by the communist Government when Kerala boasts of a immensely popular culture of an assortment of non-vegetarian fried dishes that can also cause obesity.
Not only in Kerala, even other States have a definitive problem with obesity and lifestyle diseases but a wide-ranging survey and study of the problem has to be initiated. Alongside, boosting the exchequer with a tax, the Government can do more to help people rationalise their consumption habits.