When Denmark announced it was implementing the world’s first fat
tax on fast food, the question became, Will other countries
adopt the same measure and will it strike a blow against
obesity? The fat tax aims to reduce the rate of obesity-related
disease, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease, by curbing
the consumption of fatty foods and beverages. The Danish
government announced a charge of $3 per two pounds of saturated
fat in any product. This amounts to an increase of about 15
cents per hamburger and about 40 cents per stick of butter. The
Danish government believes it will cost businesses $28 million a
year. However, the government anticipates it will prolong the
length and quality of life for Danes, thus saving millions more.
Earlier this past fall, British prime minister David Cameron
announced that his government might introduce its own fat tax as
part of the solution to Britain’s obesity problem. Around the
same time, Hungary implemented the “Hamburger Law,” which
involves higher taxes on soft