DEBATE: 'Fat tax' for overweight airline passengers?
Published Date:
12 November 2007
Today we ask if you think obese people should be forced to pay more if they want to go on aeroplane?
An Australian doctor and nutritional expert has made the call for airlines to introduce a 'fat tax' on overweight passengers.
It is thought the charge would be determined per extra kilo, in the same way as excess baggage is.
In an interview, Dr John Tickell said: "If you are going to charge for excess baggage, then charge fat people for excess weight.
"Airlines are buying fuel, and if you are carrying a heavy weight on a plane you have to pay more for it"
"But, instead, the rest of the public is paying for it - it's got to be restricted," he added.
But the radical proposal has also attracted a backlash from those who argue it discriminates against people with weight problems.
One campaigner against the scheme said: "It's not fair to single out those people who have a problem, which is already impacting greatly on their life, and make them feel like pariahs."
What do you think though - should overweight people pay more to fly?
Have your say by leaving a comment below and taking part in our online poll at the side of this page.
The full article contains 215 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
12 November 2007 10:45 AM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Wrexham
