I read the news today oh boy! Page 1,476

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26765078

Apparently Brit's are normalising being overweight, with dress sizes getting bigger but still being labelled as smaller and chubby mannequins littering low brow clothing establishments.

So the big question of the day - should there be a sugar tax? You lot are always banging on about the dangers of smoking, but would you pay £6 for a humble bar of Fruit and Nut?

Is this going to be one of those hypocritical discussions where you suddenly champion personal responsibility over duty of care, even though seconds before, you agreed with the government banning everything?

So let's hear it anti-smokers, now that something you like, which is incredibly bad for your health, is under threat of draconian legislation, do you think the government should save you from yourselves?

Once sugar is taken care of, we can start banning coffee and meat and live in the world's most shit utopia.

Doing sports (like I do) prevents me of becoming a fat bastard despite eating sugar and fat in a near excessive way (like I do).

You can't compare sugar with tobacco (active and passive damage) and alcohol, because they harm you in any way.
So, basically, I don't want to pay a sugar tax because some couch potatos batten themselves in a morbid way.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 27th March 2014, 2:28 PM GMT

So, you can't compare sugar with tobacco (active and passive damage) and alcohol.

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I can, I will, I do and I have done compared sugar to alcohol and tobacco. It is rapidly becoming a major health risk, costs the NHS huge amounts of money and is a totally avoidable danger.

Sugar intake is very much active and though there is no second hand diabetes, there hasn't been any conclusive proof about second hand smoke either, so you can't hide behind that excuse.

I think we should go down the same route with chocolate as we do tobacco - plain packaging, no advertising, hiding it from the prying eyes of children in the supermarkets and massive amounts of tax.

Perhaps we could get the media involved and start a campaign so we can actively discriminate against anyone eating chocolate and ban people from eating chocolate on television. Come on, this is all about health, let's start some hatred and bigotry.

Under your mountains of irony and sarcasm lie some good ideas:

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ 27th March 2014, 2:46 PM GMT

plain packaging, no advertising, hiding it from the prying eyes of children in the supermarkets

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We really should defend the children from aggressive marketing tactics of the sugar industry.

We have these same discussions in Switzerland as well. I'm a friend of individual responsibility...everyone can choose his way of life. Everyone can choose to drink, smoke or eat himself to death. Only the smoking in public places should be adequately regulated. I don't want to get fumigated or gassed...but on the other hand I don't want the smokers to pay a fortune for a pack of fags. There should be a special law for smoking in the public.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 27th March 2014, 2:28 PM GMT

Doing sports (like I do) prevents me of becoming a fat bastard despite eating sugar and fat in a near excessive way (like I do).

You can't compare sugar with tobacco (active and passive damage) and alcohol, because they harm you in any way.
So, basically, I don't want to pay a sugar tax because some couch potatos batten themselves in a morbid way.

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Unfortunately there are parents who have no idea/care less about the effects of sugar on themselves or on their kids. 'If it'll keep them quiet they can have it attitude', so some idea of out of sight out of mind is preferable.

But then don't they just rebel?

Apparently old Farage is a fan of the book The 39 Steps. Hurumph, I wish someone would push him off the Forth Bridge...

RCP reminds me, sometimes, when he starts these 'conversation' of the scene from Trainspotting where Begbie throws a pint glass over the balcony and exclaims... "That lassie got glassed, and no c**t leaves here till we find out what c**t did it." Just because, essentially, Begbie wants a fight.

Quote: roscoff @ 27th March 2014, 2:58 PM GMT

Unfortunately there are parents who have no idea/care less about the effects of sugar on themselves or on their kids. 'If it'll keep them quiet they can have it attitude', so some idea of out of sight out of mind is preferable.

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That's why I'm supporting RCPs (ironic) suggestion of advertising restrictions.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 27th March 2014, 2:51 PM GMT

We really should defend the children from aggressive marketing tactics of the sugar industry.

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Quote: Renegade Carpark @ 27th March 2014, 2:16 PM GMT

Is this going to be one of those hypocritical discussions where you suddenly champion personal responsibility over duty of care, even though seconds before, you agreed with the government banning everything?

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I don't think smoking should be banned. I imagine most people don't. Or eating sugar.

Processed sugar goes deeper than just diabetes and obesity.

Cancer loves processed sugar.

Natural sugars, in fruits etc., are less of a concern.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 27th March 2014, 3:04 PM GMT

That's why I'm supporting RCPs (ironic) suggestion of advertising restrictions.

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Yep. Especially aimed at kids.

Giving up smoking often leads to a bit of weight gain, so it's interesting that the decline in smoking should happen at the same time as the rise in obesity.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ 27th March 2014, 2:16 PM GMT

Once sugar is taken care of, we can start banning coffee and meat and live in the world's most shit utopia.

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Although a shit utopia where people are healthier might be one where they are happier, too.

In other words , a... utopia.

Fairly comprehensive

http://www.sugarydrinkfacts.org/resources/sugarydrinkfacts_360marketingbriefs.pdf

Worrying- We allow water only...

http://www.britishsoftdrinks.com/default.aspx?page=331

I'm a bit surprised sugar's being blamed for the obesity. As far as I can see, many fat people tend to stuff themselves with crisps, chips, and pies, and general fried stuff.