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英國巴金-達根罕倫敦自治市計劃向有意在其轄區內營業的快餐店征收1000英鎊的“肥胖稅”，并表示會將這筆收入用于應對該地區日益突出的肥胖問題。麥當勞這樣的國際快餐連鎖以及小本經營的薯片店均在收稅范圍內。該地區官員表示，年輕一代正在經歷健康危機，肥胖首當其沖，而導致肥胖的主要原因之一就是快餐。為了應對這種狀況，該自治市除計劃征收“肥胖稅”以外，還打算禁止在學校周邊400米范圍內經營快餐外賣，同時控制市中心和商業區內快餐外賣的密集程度。
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An Essex council is considering levying a "fat tax" of ￡1,000 on fast food outlets that want to open up in its area, which would hit everyone from McDonald's to a small fish and chip shop. |
An Essex council is considering levying a "fat tax" of ￡1,000 on fast food outlets that want to open up in its area, which would hit everyone from McDonald's to a small fish and chip shop.
Barking and Dagenham Council in Essex said the money would be used to combat the growing obesity problem in the borough.
This is being considered alongside other proposals in its public consultation "Saturation Point", addressing the health impacts of hot food takeaways.
Other plans include refusing planning permission for a hot food takeaway within 400 meters of a school and preventing further concentration of hot food takeaways in town centers and shopping parades.
Councilor Liam Smith, the leader of the council, said: "We must take a hard look at what the Council and its NHS partner can do to reverse what is a serious health issue.
"We are facing a health crisis which is affecting our young people, and at the core of this is obesity and one of the main causes is fast-food. We are determined to tackle the issue and we are in a position to do this through planning directives."
It is quite common for councils to levy a charge on businesses when they are granted planning permission, with supermarkets often forced to contribute towards the cost of building new schools, for instance.
However, Dagenham said it believed this was the first time a council had promised "to use the proceeds exclusively on initiatives to combat obesity".
A spokesman for the council added: "This is not tax but a practical way to help tackle what is fast becoming a major health issue in the Borough.
"The initiative is being considered in partnership with the NHS Barking and Dagenham, schools, business and workplaces. The Council will be guided by the results of the consultation which will end in October."
Waltham Forest council, in east London, last year said it intended to ban new takeaways opening within 400 meters of schools, youth centers and parks. Knowsley council, Liverpool, has also asked planning officers to consider restricting fast food outlets.
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(Agencies)
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
