Trans-Fats Just as Deadly as Cigarettes: Why Not Sin-Tax Them?

New York and Philadelphia have already voted to ban trans-fat content in their restaraunts. Oakland County, Michigan attempted to but recently revoked the proposal when county officials realized that they just didn't have the anticipated amount of support to go ahead with a vote.

What are trans-fats you ask? Trans-fats are nasty little fellows that have no signifigant factor in the world of dietary health. In fact, all they seem to be good for is raising the risk of heart disease when consumed in excess. Trans-fats are found in dairy and meats naturally, but are found more damaging when in the form of hydrgogenated oils used in cooking. A popular staple in fast food, as well as junk foods trans-fats are not your friend.

So why not put a sin-tax on them, an upping of their price could help Americans just say no to fries and cupcakes. Alcohol is bad, cigarettes are bad, and they receive the sin-tax- we have yet to just all out and ban them. Why propose banning? Did council members get force fed Twinkies as children and henceforth have personal agendas against said items? I bet if we were to look in their homes, we would find a bottle of alcohol or even a pack of cigarettes, perhaps even the God-foresaken Twinkies.

Sure, we as a country are fat. Detroit, the fattest city in the nation. However, the United States was built on choice. We typically choose to be fat by our lifestyles of convenience. It is far easier to keep one's blood sugar up by eating a Big Mac which takes a few minutes as opposed to say cooking something of sound nutritional value which takes a while longer depending on what the item is. It is a mere concsious desicion as to whether or not we allow our day to so affect us that we are dependant on drive-thru. Ever hear of a crock pot?

Convenience foods bear comperably the same amounts of health risks as does smoking, except smokers are forced to do it outside in the middle of winter. God forbid we should have a ton of people being forced outside to eat a Big Mac. I repeat they bear the same risks for the most part, and although smoking has the threat of second hand smoking, fast food consumption over extended periods of time can cause kidney and liver damage- I say that's just as nasty a way to go. If you have yet to see "Supersize Me" go rent it. It makes the sin-tax idea seem reasonable.

In placing a ban on trans-fat, the government also loses potential income that could be accrued by simply taxing the item. Make a box of cookies $5.00 and see how well they sell. ( ask the Girl Scouts) People will still want their sugary, fatty fix. Make the choice just that...a choice.