Should Ontario Tax Junk Food?

Ontario, the province that I live, work and eat in, is considering taxing junk food. More specifically, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), has suggested to the government, that this should come into being.
The OMA, in a press release yesterday, made the statement, with the usual eye-opening statistics.

• Almost 1 in every 3 children (31.5%) is classified as overweight/obese. This has almost doubled since the 1980's.
• Costs to Ontario's health care system due to obesity complications are in the range of 2.2-2.5 Billion dollars annually.
• Tax incentives helped reduce the number of smokers in half over the last forty years.

Their recommendations are somewhat vague and include the usual "multi-pronged" approach.

• Increasing taxes on junk food, and decreasing tax on "healthy" foods.
• Restricting marketing of junk food to kids.
• Placing graphic warning labels on pop and other non-nutritional foods. (a la cigarette cartons)
• Restricting availability of junk food at sport/recreational facilities where kids frequent.
• Legislating listing of caloric information on menu boards.
• Enlisting an educational campaign.
• Making Physical Education mandatory throughout high school.

I don't mind the concept of taxing junk food, but there are soooo many problems inherently built in. What is classified as "junk food". Who decides? What gets a "graphic label" put on their product.

Also, several of their recommendations already exist. "Healthy" food already is NOT taxed. Marketing is already restricted to kids on television. Educational campaigns already exist.

What do you think? Should we tax junk food like alcohol and tobacco?

Let me know!

Here's a great infographic on the massive amount of sugar we consume. Have a great day.

Props to Disney for Cutting Junk Food!

(photo courtesy Tom Bricker)

Congratulations to the Walt Disney Company for taking a step in the right direction.
On June 4, 2012 the Disney Corporation announced a wide spread set of guidelines to focus on childhood obesity.



They were able to partner with First Lady Michelle Obama in announcing several important changes.
These included:

• Banning Food and Beverage products advertised on their networks including the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney, Disney Junior and Disney Online sites that did NOT adhere to nutritional guidelines by 2015. (2015 was chosen due to pre-existing ad contracts)
• Cutting Sodium by 25% in kids' meals at Disney Theme Parks
• Automatically including healthier sides and beverages, such as low fat milk and carrots at Disney Parks and Resorts.
• Adding a "Mickey Check" icon to be placed on foods that meet certain nutritional guidelines. Here are the exact guidelines (pdf)

• 

While not perfect, this is a nice 1st step in combating childhood obesity. Being a media giant, (they reach upwards of 99 million viewers on TV networks, as well as 121 million visitors to Disney Parks worldwide,

2011 data here), their impact on advertisers can and should be substantial.

I would like to see this extend to other advertisers, and hopefully to not only kids meals, but adults too.

Good on you DISNEY !

Tell me what you think about their initiative!