No, we are not talking about a huge tax to be imposed on Europe, and no, we are not talking about making obese people pay for hospital treatment or to pay extra when they travel.

Denmark does not often make it to the news, but it did yesterday as it announced the implementation of a “fat tax” on foods such as butter, oil and burgers. It has already, like Hungary, increased the prices of salty snacks, sweets and sugar laden soft drinks, but this really does set a precedent.

The reason why the tax was imposed was actually not to generate more government revenue (although the Danish government will no doubt also be pleased about that), but to increase the life expectancy of Danes by three years over the next decade. The average life of a Dane falls short of the OECD average of 79.

According to the CIA world fact book, Malta’s average life expectancy stands at about 79.82 years. While we are therefore, over the average mark, no one can deny that we have massively high obesity rates. There are many different statistical trackers, but the consensus seems to be that we have some of the fattest men in Europe, and perhaps more worryingly, some of the fattest kids in the Western world – and its incidence is increasing.

The government has begun some form of promotional campaign for a healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise, but it is still too little, and perhaps far too late.

But the Danes seem to be on the right track with this. Obesity and obesity related diseases such as heart disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis have been described by experts as being the greatest future threat, outstripping costs for care for cancer, HIV and many others, including smoking. In fact, health authorities are so concerned, that they are even mulling over the concept of only offering palliative care to the chronically obese, rather than offering radical surgeries.

But where do we draw the line? Some will argue that obese people are simply greedy. Others will argue that they are addiction victims. Others will argue that they cannot help what is in their gene pool. All are correct. But at the same time, something has to be done. It has always been said that it is good to stamp out bad habits, by hitting where it hurts i.e. the wallet.

Some success has been registered by using the same tactics with smokers. The introduction of such taxes would be beneficial in that respect, but it must go hand in hand with a reduction in tax on the healthier option, such as ‘margarines’, olive oil, fruit juices and bottled water. But on top of that, there must be a concerted effort to boost exercise and awareness levels to a much, much higher standard than they are at today. If anyone doubts it, just take a look around and count the amount of young children who already have cellulite and massive bellies. It’s just plain wrong.