Reply to post: Re: OK here's an analytical observation that could be considered "low-hanging fruit"

Senior health tech pros warn NHS England: Be transparent with mass database trawl or face public backlash

Anonymous Coward
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Re: OK here's an analytical observation that could be considered "low-hanging fruit"

if you are fat or drunk, you will cost the NHS more than if you are not. So tax those pricks that are and save the rest of us some money.

It may surprise you to learn that heavy drinkers and smokers do pay more in tax. And good luck with penalising the 60% of the UK population who are overweight. Can't see why you won't get a thumping majority in support of that policy.

But more pertinently, it is a naive oversimplification to imagine that fat people, or heavy drinkers, can just change their lifestyle. Money, social pressure, addictions and habit are all very powerful, usually insurmountable, drivers in people's behaviour. Do you really think people put up with the stigma of obesity, the increased anxiety, poor body image, and impaired quality of life because they just can't be bothered to lose weight?

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