Treat health as wealth

Millennials are fond of fast food. As a result, almost 70% of them are suffering from obesity. Obesity in turn leads to diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, asthma and also reduces life expectancy.

The major reason of obesity is uncontrolled intake of junk food. Ghrelin, a hormone in our stomach, is sensitive to drugs. Sugary drinks contain caffeine, an addictive drug. Realising the bad impacts of fast food, the government has taken took many measures in the past. One of them being was banning junk food in schools and college canteens. Nowadays, imposing prohibitive tax on junk is again a topic of discussion.

Is the ban placed to earn profit or benefit the society? If government is imposing tax to earn profit, then it may, but for social benefit, definitely it is not going to halt its utilisation.

It is seen that the government has imposed heavy taxes on alcoholic drinks and cigarettes but when a person starts using them, he/she cannot resist. Even graphic images on them can’t help in stopping or reducing the intake. Hence imposing taxes may or may not be able to reap the intended benefits. The government must make strict rules.

The licence for fast food restaurants should be toughened. It should also encourage some alternative ways of healthy food such as making chapati rolls, vegetable sandwiches, and milk shakes in school and college canteens.