Japanese "Fat Fine"

Araxen · 06-24-2008, 09:43 AM

Slashdot | Japan Imposes "Fine On Fat"
Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Quote:

An anonymous reader writes "A recently-introduced law in Japan requires all businesses to have mandatory obesity checks (video link) for all their employees and employees' family members over the age of 40, CNN reports. If the employee or family member is deemed obese, and does not lose the extra fat soon, their employer faces large fines. The legislated upper limit for the waistline is 33.5" for men, and 35.5" for women. Should America adopt universal health insurance, could we live to see the same kind of individual health regulations imposed on us by the government? By comparison, the average waistline in America in 2005 was 39 inches for men, 37 inches for women."

I don't see why it's the employers problem though to regulate their employee's obesity. I'm at work and can't watch the video so it may explain it there.

Jenison · 06-24-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

I don't see why it's the employers problem though to regulate their employee's obesity.

it probably gets around some civil rights. by instead imposing it on the employeer vs the individual they get around some existing law / right.

/shrug

Vinen · 06-24-2008, 10:06 AM

This is an awesome idea. We should copy it in the US immediately. That and fine McDonalds, etc whenever they serve a fat person a meal.

This Fat Fine, should be used to subsidize gas.

Astrocreep · 06-24-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinen

This is an awesome idea. We should copy it in the US immediately. That and fine McDonalds, etc whenever they serve a fat person a meal.

This Fat Fine, should be used to subsidize gas.

Let me guess, you are a fan of Morgan Spurlock?

Desidero · 06-24-2008, 10:11 AM

We don't approve of calling people fat/stupid/a failure/etc in this country (collectively, not as individuals - all individuals do it). There's not a chance in hell this could pass in America. That being said, I don't see why employers should be responsible. I also don't see how a standard waistline could be approved when people vary quite a bit in size. Some people are just built large and have 36"+ waistlines even when they are in good shape.

fanaskin · 06-24-2008, 10:12 AM

the chinese are coming, gotta stay fit to serve.

Manseed · 06-24-2008, 10:13 AM

All I'm saying is that if you're going to put a special tax on my cigarettes and beer then that same tax should be applied to cheeseburgers.

Vinen · 06-24-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrocreep

Let me guess, you are a fan of Morgan Spurlock?

Not really- I just saw the initial post and that was the first thing that came to mind.

Kolle · 06-24-2008, 10:58 AM

i'm not opposed to discouraging poor health. it needs to be a bit reasonable. if someone is slightly chubby, but doesn't smoke or do other harmful things then that should be ok.

i support fines and other measures against the obese, smokers, etc...

Tuco · 06-24-2008, 11:04 AM

UHC should be accompanied by varied taxes based upon the health level of the person being taxed and their family.

Kolle · 06-24-2008, 11:06 AM

people who stay within a healthy range should also gain benefits. one thing they could do is legalize prostitution and pot. it would still be illegal for those too out of shape.

James · 06-24-2008, 11:11 AM

Hahaha, Blaezenfury would have to take out a second goddamn mortgage. Fully endorsed on this end, sirs.

Jait · 06-24-2008, 11:20 AM

"Sin Tax", is the camels nose in the tent.

If 60% of us suddenly all decide we don't like red-haired folks, and those Gingers are more prone to skincancer, therefore they cost the average taxpayer more... Shouldn't they all be taxed more? More and more, it's the retards running the asylum. This isn't that far-fetched.

The inequality is extraordinary. You still pay more for a pack of cigarettes than a gallon of gasoline. Gasoline is choking this planet to death, but fortunately we're all sinners in that regard, and we need it, and we need it cheap! There's water shortages on the west coast, but I have neighbors still watering their driveways each night.

We all need to improve. That's all there is to it. And we flat out have too many people on this planet, and it's rising and rising. But to single out a group like this is to pat yourself on the back and absolve yourself of your own sins, and that just brings my piss to a boil. It's the worst kind of sophistry that exists today imo.

PerritoBites · 06-24-2008, 11:25 AM

IMO, don't fine the fatties... tax the people who make crappy food.

Kuriin · 06-24-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerritoBites

IMO, don't fine the fatties... tax the people who make crappy food.

No one's forcing them to eat the food.

06-24-2008, 10:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Vinen A Cat is Fine Too Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Not in fucking Acton, MA anymore! Posts: 2,887	This is an awesome idea. We should copy it in the US immediately. That and fine McDonalds, etc whenever they serve a fat person a meal. This Fat Fine, should be used to subsidize gas. __________________ Vinna, Feral Druid, Stormrage Server Len, Disciple of Khaine, Averheim Server Hope is not a strategy

06-24-2008, 11:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tuco Forum Janitor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Detroit Posts: 8,272 +16 Internets	UHC should be accompanied by varied taxes based upon the health level of the person being taxed and their family. __________________

06-24-2008, 11:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jait Irritable Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: :noitacoL Posts: 3,481	"Sin Tax", is the camels nose in the tent. If 60% of us suddenly all decide we don't like red-haired folks, and those Gingers are more prone to skincancer, therefore they cost the average taxpayer more... Shouldn't they all be taxed more? More and more, it's the retards running the asylum. This isn't that far-fetched. The inequality is extraordinary. You still pay more for a pack of cigarettes than a gallon of gasoline. Gasoline is choking this planet to death, but fortunately we're all sinners in that regard, and we need it, and we need it cheap! There's water shortages on the west coast, but I have neighbors still watering their driveways each night. We all need to improve. That's all there is to it. And we flat out have too many people on this planet, and it's rising and rising. But to single out a group like this is to pat yourself on the back and absolve yourself of your own sins, and that just brings my piss to a boil. It's the worst kind of sophistry that exists today imo. Last edited by Jait : 06-24-2008 at 11:22 AM.

06-24-2008, 11:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
PerritoBites Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PR, UY, ROC Posts: 1,748 -11 Internets	IMO, don't fine the fatties... tax the people who make crappy food. __________________

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06-24-2008, 10:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Desidero Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 83 -1 Internets	We don't approve of calling people fat/stupid/a failure/etc in this country (collectively, not as individuals - all individuals do it). There's not a chance in hell this could pass in America. That being said, I don't see why employers should be responsible. I also don't see how a standard waistline could be approved when people vary quite a bit in size. Some people are just built large and have 36"+ waistlines even when they are in good shape.

06-24-2008, 10:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
fanaskin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 130 +0 Internets	the chinese are coming, gotta stay fit to serve.

06-24-2008, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Manseed Cunning Stunt Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 823 -40 Internets	All I'm saying is that if you're going to put a special tax on my cigarettes and beer then that same tax should be applied to cheeseburgers.

06-24-2008, 10:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kolle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,879 -25 Internets	i'm not opposed to discouraging poor health. it needs to be a bit reasonable. if someone is slightly chubby, but doesn't smoke or do other harmful things then that should be ok. i support fines and other measures against the obese, smokers, etc...

06-24-2008, 11:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
Kolle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,879 -25 Internets	people who stay within a healthy range should also gain benefits. one thing they could do is legalize prostitution and pot. it would still be illegal for those too out of shape.