An Irish "fat tax"? "the belt tightening measure but would face strong opposition"

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/BUDGET+WATCH%3A+obesity+costs+and+the+%22fat+tax%22/id/19410615-5218-50b4-a9d3-441fb3624717

BUDGET WATCH: obesity costs and the "fat tax"

04:07, 28 November 2012 by Post Reporter

Michael Noonan lays out the harsh realities in a press conference following his budget speech last year.

Follow our roundup of Budget 2013 related stories, rumours and speculation in the run in to finance minister Michael Noonan's much anticipated - and much feared - speech next week.

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Wednesday 28th November

9.50: Obesity study could put fat tax back on agenda

Talk of the cost of obesity this morning is likely to lead to renewed speculation about the introduction of a so-called “fat tax”.

The government has previously considered the belt tightening measure but would face strong opposition.

A UCC study, funded by government agency Safefood, has estimated that overweight and obese people are costing the country more than €1 billion annually. About a third of the cost is accounted for through healthcare, with the remainder of the costs coming indirectly through absenteeism and lost productivity.

Ahead of last year’s budget, it was reported that the cabinet had considered a a new sugar tax on sweetened drinks in a bid to combat the obesity problem.