[Aryan_]

Well, almost:

Australia airline 'fat tax' urged


A leading Australian nutritionist has urged airlines to charge obese passengers more for their seats.

Dr John Tickell believes a "fat tax" would highlight his country's obesity crisis and make commercial sense, as heavier loads increase fuel costs.

But health groups have warned that to single out people with weight problems could cause them emotional stress.

Recent studies estimate that 67% of Australian men and over half of women aged over 25 are overweight or obese.

Experts have warned that by 2030 half of the country's children will be overweight or obese if the problem goes unchecked.

In March, Australian health officials were forced to equip their fleet of ambulances with heavy-duty stretchers to cope with the sharp rise in overweight patients.

'Too precious'

Dr Tickell, a leading nutritionist and author, told the BBC that society should take a more hardline stance against obesity and get tough on fat airline passengers.

He said that Australian airlines should impose charges on their overweight clients, as they do for excess baggage, because heavier loads increase fuel costs.

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
Dr Tim Gill
Australasian Obesity Society

"I fly Sydney to Perth - five hours - and being totally disadvantaged by some huge person next to me literally flopping over into my seat. Why should I pay the same as them?" he asked.

Dr Tickell said it was important to start highlighting Australia's obesity crisis.

"I think we're a bit too nice, we're a bit too precious about minority groups. I think the majority group must have something to say too," he added.


HAVE YOUR SAY
Does this mean thin people get a rebate on their airfare?
Nick F, Liverpool

But the chief executive of the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity, Dr Tim Gill, said penalty charges should not be imposed on overweight passengers.

"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," he said.

A spokesman for the Australian budget airline, Jetstar, said it had no plans to charge larger passengers more for their seats.

Airlines are, however, monitoring long-term trends in the size and shape of their customers, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says.
VOTE Do you think that fat people should pay more to fly? Yes No Not sure Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion
Story from BBC NEWS:
BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Australia airline 'fat tax' urged

[Aryan_]

No responses? I would have thought muslims would have a lot to say about airline restrictions

[iTz_NoT_Me_iTzZu]

thats kinda sad... people are just gonna stay in their houses and eat cus they're too fat to fly..

[WarriorAndWiseman]

There was a more recent study which claimed that child obesity is more concentrated in ethnic communities and is not as wide-spread as was initially believed. Middle Eastern and Islander kids seemed to have the worst stats. It was suggested that this problem be addressed on a community level.

...so basically Aussie's don't have that much to worry about. Their kids are fit enough.

As for the fat tax... please tell me you're not seriously asking whether it should be imposed or not. Use a bit of common sense.

[Timbit]

Well, I mean... it is increasing the load. More fat people means less of my luggage, yeah? It might motivate them to become more active or something. Kidding, kidding.

But what I really hate is fat people on the bus. I never used to, but recently, I've been encountering more. And they take up 1.5 seats. And I don't care... honestly, if there's nowhere else, then I do take the .5 seat. Then they give me a dirty look like "Why do you have to sit here and squish me?" And I'm thinking "You're squishing me, dumbass."

That, and guys who can't keep their legs closed. Must you splay them out and take up two entire seats? I take the seat next to them too, if there's nowhere else. Like... close your legs, fool.

[ChotooMotoo]

You can't really blame the airlines. They really do have weight restricions. So many passengers are 20, 30, 50 ore 100+ lbs overweight. If you add that to the weight of the luggage, they really could add significant weight to the aircraft. Those planes were designed with certain weight limits. There is also the matter of passenger safety and comfort. Have any of you ever sat on a plane next to someone who was very overweight, and squeezed into a tiny airline seat? How about when they have to lift the arm rest, and infringe on your personal space because they can't fit into the seat? They can't wear a normal seat belt either in many cases. From a passenger safety/comfort standpoint, the airline only really has 2 options, either re-design the aircraft for the ever expanding butts of the world, or force people to buy 2 seats. One would cost money, and the other would so offend people that the airline would lose money. You can see that an extra "fat tax" really becomes good ecoconomic idea in these situations. Most airlines aren't doing well these days either what with fuel costs and all.

[ShiaHazara]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

You can't really blame the airlines. They really do have weight restricions. So many passengers are 20, 30, 50 ore 100+ lbs overweight. If you add that to the weight of the luggage, they really could add significant weight to the aircraft. Those planes were designed with certain weight limits. There is also the matter of passenger safety and comfort. Have any of you ever sat on a plane next to someone who was very overweight, and squeezed into a tiny airline seat? How about when they have to lift the arm rest, and infringe on your personal space because they can't fit into the seat? They can't wear a normal seat belt either in many cases. From a passenger safety/comfort standpoint, the airline only really has 2 options, either re-design the aircraft for the ever expanding butts of the world, or force people to buy 2 seats. One would cost money, and the other would so offend people that the airline would lose money. You can see that an extra "fat tax" really becomes good ecoconomic idea in these situations. Most airlines aren't doing well these days either what with fuel costs and all.

got to agree with you on that.

fat people think they are entitled to rights for some reason