Unhealthy eating has a negative effect on both individuals and the society in which they live. Some people think that the government should tax unhealthy foods while others believe that a ‘fat tax’ is unfair and unnecessary. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Many lives are lost every year from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. I think a
tax
on unhealthy food
is a sensible idea even though some people
think it could be discriminatory and difficult to implement.
There are several arguments against the introduction of a ‘fat tax
’. It could end up as a tax
on the poor because low-income families are more likely to consume cheap, fatty food
. It might also
be just another revenue-gathering scheme for the government
as it can be argued that there are already taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, but that does not stop people
from smoking and drinking. Besides
, what right does the government
have to dictate what people
should eat? Who would decide exactly which foods merit a ‘fat tax
’? These questions aside, the most cogent argument against a food
tax
is that food
alone is not responsible for obesity and ill health. Exercise and genetic factors, not to mention portion sizes, all have a part to play.
In defence of a tax
on unhealthy food
, I would contend that the government
has a right to collect tax
from products that cost millions of dollars every year in medical treatment and lost productivity. Statistics show that the obese are less likely to be employed and are, therefore
, a greater burden on society. In any case, it would not be an outright ban on unhealthy food
– people
could still eat what they want – but higher prices would discourage over-consumption and reduce demand. Admittedly, it might be difficult to decide which foods would attract the tax
, but a good start would be sugar-laden beverages such
as ‘energy’
drinks, deep-fried takeaways, chips, chocolate and sweets.
To conclude, I think Correct your spelling
energy
government
intervention in the form of a new tax
is justified when society’s well-being is at stake. Obviously, many people
fail to make the connection between diet and disease and ultimately society pays for the costs of their consumption of unhealthy food
.Submitted by chamaratd on
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Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
Linking words are very important in your essay.
To score effectively on your IELTS exam, you should make an effort to implement short concise sentences coupled with linking words.
Almost every sentence in your essay should have a linking word of some sort.
In fact, the only sentences that can omit linking words are your background sentence and thesis.
Linking word examples:
- firstly
- secondly
- thirdly
- in additional
- moreover
- also
- for example
- for instance
- therefore
- however
- although
- even though
- despite