How about a fat tax on burgers and sweets? (CTC2010)

Here’s an idea for teams preparing for Challenge the Chancellor 2010 - a tax proposal from the authorities in Romania.

The idea of a “fat tax” has been around for a long time. It appeals to some of those who are slim, and also to those who believe that a tax-related disincentive to eat unhealthy foods is likely to generate substantial tax revenues and public health benefits.

The Daily Mail reports here on the Romanian proposals.

How would it work? The article quotes Romanian Health Minister Attila Cseke:

“We intend to introduce a tax on fast food, soft drinks and sweets in order to support national health programmes. The new tax will be a percentage of the sale of fast-food products and the revenue will be used to increase the budgets of health programmes and fund investments into the system’s infrastructure.’

- Could it work in the UK?
- Which products would qualify for the tax (presumably an extension of VAT to key products & categories)?
- Would it make you less likely to drop by at a fast food outlet if you knew you were paying more tax?
- Is there a case for an alternative? Lower, or no tax, on “healthy foods”?