FAIL: Worlds First Fat-Sugar Tax In Denmark To Be DismantledHeather Callaghan To the Danish, it seemed like a win-win for all. It would deter obesity-prone people from overindulging, and would further line the countrys coffers if citizens lacked restraint. Maybe it would lighten the healthcare burdens. And while many consumers cried unfair, everyone expected it to work. It was only a slight discomfort for the greater good, after all. Not an outright form of abuse, right? After one experimental year, it turned out to be an economic backfire largely unheard round the world. Consumerdisapprovalensued and, according to Raw Story, the measure did nothing to change eating habits. Additionally, The mandate caused consumers to take their money elsewhere across the border to purchase their favorite foods. The Danish Food Workers Union told Food Navigator recently that the measure had led to a loss of 1,300 retail and manufacturing jobs there. (Source) The British Medical Journal actually concluded that prices on targeted foods would have to rise by 20% in order to be uncomfortable enough to cut consumption enough to affect obesity rates. And they suggested that the move would need to be coupled with government subsidies on fruit and vegetable produce in order to easily replace unhealthy cheap options with healthier eating. Hey, theres a thought. While cigarette smoking has dropped off yeah, prices rose about 50% in the last 10 years plenty of people still need their fix and pay dearly for it. Time will tell if New Yorks soda measures, as well as other countries experiments, will benefit but the Danish fiasco should cause officials to pause and rethink the approach. Is that even possible? Another problem with letting health be dictated bybureaucracy is that they are far removed from each individuals needs and desires, so they are generally ignorant by design. Many are starting to realize that the war on all fat was a farce and that the complete lack thereof damages health. How can it be said that differing amounts of pizza and butter will make all people equally obese? More dieticians and health experts are actually embracing natural fats as a necessary part of a whole foods regimen. It doesnt appear that public health consciousness is at the forefront of government initiatives; otherwise: And, of course, the old-time conventional medical community was largely in support (thanks to corporate backing) of the addictive substances now believed to harm us.Just as it is now with Big Pharma Warbucks. In dystopian novels like 1984, the quality drops in consumer products, prices and taxes inflate, and rationing is mandated. You probably remember it symbolized with Victory Gin and Victory Chocolate, as though the Proles had some freedom of choice. And they scrambled for the overpriced swill (while the elites enjoyed the good stuff), and those caught with black market luxuries were arrested and re-educated to believe they werent worth it. Nearly the same thing happened to Russians living during the Bolshevik takeover and onto the creation of the Soviet Union. Why after the induced addictions would world governments want to suddenly ween the masses off the choice of their little creature comforts? Please leave your thoughts below. Read other articles by Heather Callaghan Here 