Taxes on junk food
Unhealthy food is taxed on the U.S. Navajo Nation reservation.
Who in the US reservation Navajo Nation If you want to eat junk food, you'll have to dig deeper into your pocket: Since April 1, consumers have been paying a two-cent tax on sweet drinks, chips, burgers and other foods defined as unhealthy.
The reservation is home to 300,000 residents; of these, nearly 100,000 suffer from diabetes or a pre-existing condition thereof. Over 40% of the residents are unemployed - and those who invest their money in junk food instead of healthy food are more likely to get full of their scarce dollars.
The money raised through the tax will be invested in a healthy eating program: Projects such as greenhouses, cooking classes, community gardens and farmers' markets are intended to lead residents back to healthy eating.
