Test 7

It seems clear that obesity in today’s society is to some extent due to

the availability of fast food.
Should the government place a tax on fast food to reduce the
amount of fast food consumed?

Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples

It is true that obesity is one of the most pressing health problems in today’s society. Most people
agree that this is due to the availability of fast food and some even suggest placing a tax on fast
food to reduce the amount consumed. Personally, I think this approach is highly ineffective and
can cause other negative effects on the society.

It is true that the cheapness of fast food is a clear reason for obesity in today’s society.
Therefore, many people would think placing a tax on fast food would be able to stop its
consumption. However, I believe that this action alone can lead to the emergence of worse
quality food markets and there needs to be other solutions to help it achieve successful result.
First of all, if we try to eliminate fast food without providing any suitable substitutes,
people will have to turn to other cheap choices. Fast food’s popularity is mostly because of its
affordability to the middle to lower class, while groceries are not. To illustrate, in the USA, the
price of a burger sold in fast food chain restaurant is lower than the total cost of buying all raw
ingredients in the supermarket. People know it is unhealthy but it is significantly cheaper and fits
their budgets. Although raising fast food’s cost can stop people from eating them immediately,
they will have no choice but to find cheaper alternatives. This can create a market for
uncontrolled low quality foods, result in other, or even more dangerous, health concerns.
Secondly, for this solution to work properly, we need to lower the prices of meats,
vegetables and fruits in the supermarket first. This can encourage people to buy ingredients to
make a meal for themselves, which can be much healthier. Take Vietnam for example.
Currently there are multiple fast food chains in Vietnam but because groceries are so much
cheaper, the Vietnameses still prefer home-cooking.
Another solution is creating healthy fast food chains. This is to provide ready-to-go,
affordable and nutritious meals for people who do not have time or ability to cook for
themselves. Japan has already applied this idea successfully and they now have multiple
restaurants serving balanced portions of meat, rice and vegies.
In conclusions, placing a tax on fast food is an instant solution to the problem but it
misses the point. To be able to help, we need to target at the real reasons why people are so
drawn to fast foods and give them what they need, which is a healthier choice.
-> What poor ppl gon eat?
-> its fast for sum

It is true that the cheapness of fast food is a clear reason for obesity in today’s society.
Therefore, many people would think placing a tax on fast food would be able to stop its
consumption. However, I believe that this action alone can lead to the emergence of worse
quality food markets and there needs to be other solutions to help it achieve successful result.