Some food for thought

Being preoccupied with meetings, trying to socialise, or trying to stay in shape can create apt opportunities for the consumption of appetising, but dangerous junk food and sugary liquids.

The consumption of such foods might be accompanied by diseases like diabetes, which have risen by 123% in India over the past two decades.

The cost of treating such health problems is also expected to rise to $13 billion in India by 2025.

In order to reduce this and increase the tax revenue collected, governments can make use of prohibitive taxes. Imposing prohibitive taxes on junk food and sugary drinks would mean that people will get discouraged from conthe

Dhirubhai Ambani International School suming junk food, resulting in fewer cases of diabetes and obesity, leading to lesser expenditure on health and more on other industries like tourism and education, creating employment in these areas.

It will also mean people will live longer and happier lives, enhancing living standards. Productivity of the workforce will also rise because of better health and fewer sick leaves.

However, an increase in taxes on junk food and sugary drinks could create cost push inflation and can act regressively, worsening the situation of the poor who tend to consume cheap junk food rather than expensive,

healthy food.