Calls for Junk Food Tax to Combat Obesity

Ireland is facing a severe obesity crisis, with 60% of adults classified as overweight or obese. Health expert Professor Donal O'Shea advocates for expanding the existing sugar tax to include ultra-processed foods to curb unhealthy eating habits. Similar recommendations have emerged in the UK, where Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty emphasizes the need for a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods to combat rising obesity rates, particularly among children. Whitty notes the success of the sugar tax on soft drinks and suggests broader fiscal measures to drive reformulation in food products. Both experts highlight the importance of using tax incentives to promote healthier food options and address the public health crisis exacerbated by unhealthy food environments. There is a growing consensus that without such measures, children face a future of serious health issues associated with obesity.