The Healthy Tax: A Price Worth Paying for Better Living

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What is a healthy tax? Also known as the 'sin tax," it is a tax the government places on products that pose a threat to an individual's life and health, for example, alcohol, tobacco and sugar-sweetened beverages/drinks. The aim of a healthy tax on these products is to reduce their consumption among its users and improve their overall health while also generating government revenue. If the government decide to levy such a tax on these harmful products, would it be a good move?

First, let me explain how the government use taxation to reduce the consumption of unhealthy products:

For products that are likely to be harmful to people's health, the government impose higher taxes on items like alcohol, cigarettes, sugary drinks, etc, thereby making them more expensive. When these products are expensive, it discourages people, especially those with lower incomes who cannot afford to buy them regularly or even think of buying in large quantities.

Aside from this, a health tax is used to generate revenue to fund health programs. For example, money collected through sin tax is used to fund public health campaigns, thereby creating awareness by hosting anti-smoking ads, preventing drug abuse, etc. Also, the revenues are used to support programs for those addicted and then provide treatment and healthy living.

Another way the government use healthy tax on these products is by encouraging companies to change their product recipes. For instance, in the UK, tax levied on sugary drinks has encouraged manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in their products while avoiding higher taxes.

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I believe it's not a bad idea if the government impose such a healthy tax on these products because it will surely change people’s perception. This is not about trying to make more money from citizens; it's also passing across a great message of how these products cause harm and how they should be reduced to avoid unhealthy behaviours among individuals, which then provides good health for all.

Even though there are people who may feel the government is trying to interfere in their personal choice or the tax may hurt individuals who are earning low income and can barely afford these products, this method is a strong measure to improve an individual's overall health and act normally in society.

But it doesn't stop them from smuggling in illegal products because there is no way the government are trying to help people but one way or the other, they feel they want to do it their own way and that is something we all face in different country, especially those who are used to stuff and it's hard to keep them away from these products.

I strongly recommend that alongside imposing such tax, the government should alternatively make a balance by teaching people about the risks involved, creating more awareness through programs and ensuring every individual has access to them. Most importantly, they should make fruits, vegetables and even gym membership cheaper to encourage them to embrace this holistic approach rather than products that pose great danger to their health and performance.