David Cameron has said that the government will consider the implementation of a ‘fat tax’ in the United Kingdom. As levels of obesity rise alarmingly, including childhood obesity, the government will have to look at ways to reduce costs to the health service and to also increase life expectancy.

Speaking to 5 News while being interviewed during coverage of the Conservative Party conference, the prime minister said that they would look at using the tax system to halt the increase in obesity levels. He also noted that when the idea of taxing fatty foods has been considered by others in the past, the concern has always been the effect it would have on families with a lower income.

According to Cameron, obesity is becoming the largest challenge to health in the United Kingdom, even more so than smoking and drinking. He said:

But frankly, do we have a problem with the growing level of obesity? Yes. Do we have a kind of warning in terms of- look at America, how bad things have got there- what happens if we don’t do anything? Yes, that should be a wake-up call.

Denmark have just introduced a tax on fatty foods which includes cheese, milk, butter, oil, pizza and processed food. However, the new tax has caused criticism among consumers, with retailers being left with more administration to deal with.

David Cameron has said that the government will consider all angles, including the effect on low income families, but warned people of the UK not to rule anything out. The prime minister is concerned about the rising cost to the National Health and the fact that rising child obesity levels will mean some will have shorter life spans than their parents.