Given that Canadians already pay a hefty “sin” tax on items such as cigarettes and alcohol that are known to affect their health, can Big Macs, potato chips and chocolate bars be far behind? Not if a national watchdog and advocacy association has its way.
“There is a great burden that consumption of these foods [places] on the health care system,” says Bill Jeffery, national coordinator for the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (Canada). “If this is posing such a burden, Canadians should be ready to pay for the increased financial toll.”
The group wants Canadians to start paying sin taxes on “unhealthy” foods and, conversely, to avoid taxes on “healthy” foods. The tax would apply at both grocery stores and restaurants.
Dr. Eldon Smith of Calgary, editor of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology and a member of the council of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, sees some merit in the proposal. “Right now, items like fresh produce are very expensive while colas, Kraft dinner and a Big Mac are very affordable. There is a systematic differential in the price of healthy versus unhealthy foods.” — Louise Gagnon, Ottawa