Could a 'red and processed meat' tax save thousands?
Both types of meat have been linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as cancers of the digestive system, such as bowel cancer.
The researchers looked at how introducing a tax to increase the price of meat might affect consumption, deaths and economic costs.
They estimated taxes would need to be highest in high-income countries like the US and the UK, while they could be much lower in less wealthy countries.
In the UK, that would mean a price increase of about 13% on red meat and about 79% on processed meat.
The researchers say this would translate to about a 22% drop in deaths and nearly a 19% drop in healthcare costs linked to processed meat consumption.
It’s an interesting paper that’s sure to start a debate. It rests on many assumptions, not least the extent to which red and processed meat causes death.
Many people eat far more red and processed meat than recommended. Higher prices might mean some people choose to switch to a less meat-heavy diet.
