Slim chances of a ‘fat tax’ in Greece

Out of the blue, Greece was hit by a proposal from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to impose a tax on foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), taxes known as "health taxes," "sugar tax" or "fat tax."

Although the government is not discussing the proposal, with Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis categorically telling Kathimerini that "such a tax is not included in the government's plan," these taxes are common abroad and are even considered effective in several cases, mainly in terms of combating obesity. 

At the European Union level, such taxes are already applied in 12 member-states, while only the tax on sugary drinks - mainly soft drinks - is applied according to the latest data from the World Health Organization in 108 countries. In Greece, according to WHO data, 62.3% of the population is overweight, of which 24...