This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the economic, legal and public policy rationales for the application of taxes and other fiscal measures on health-related commodities. The motivation for such taxes has been more often linked to the fiscal revenues generated than to their potential...

1. Introduction: Obesity and the economics of prevention -- 2. Obesity : past and projected future trends -- 3. The social dimensions of obesity -- 4. How does obesity spread? -- 5. Tackling obesity : the roles of governments and markets -- 6. The impact of inventions -- 7. Information,...