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Slap sales tax on junk food, panel urges
The Times Colonist (Victoria) (Thu 30 Nov 2006 Byline: Jeff Rud) writes that a legislative committee which spent the past year studying ways to fight childhood obesity says British Columbians should start paying provincial sales tax on junk food. Items such as candy, chocolate bars and soft drinks should not be eligible for the Social Services Tax exemption afforded to food products in B.C., the standing committee on health recommended yesterday, one of 36 suggestions in its report, A Strategy for Combating Childhood Obesity and Physical Inactivity in B.C. (www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/health). In fact, the committee said it was surprised to discover that junk food is not subject to the 7 per cent PST. The committee also suggested forming a provincial nutrition and exercise council, composed of representatives of all levels of government, healthy-living advocates and food-industry stakeholders. Key goals of that council would include working with industry to voluntarily reduce fat, sugar and salt contents in products. It would spearhead the creation of new "warning" labels that would appear on package-fronts, and create a "social marketing" campaign against junk food similar to those against tobacco and impaired driving. The report estimates the direct and indirect cost of obesity and inactivity in B.C. at about $1 billion a year. The committee also recommends the government cost-share with municipalities for "significant annual upgrades to walking, cycling and trail infrastructures in all B.C. communities.'' The committee suggests that all school districts be required to ensure safe walking routes for their students. The committee also asks government to adopt an action plan to address the rise in Type 2 diabetes. About 20,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year and the disease and related complications are estimated to cost B.C. more than $1 billion a year.
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