Politician apologizes for fat tax idea

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UPPSALA, Sweden, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A Swedish politician apologized to anyone who felt insulted by his suggestion of taxing the obese.

Stefan Hanna, an Uppsala councilor with the Center Party, apologized on his blog Monday for earlier suggesting the overweight should pay higher taxes because they put greater strain on the country's social services, The Local and Swedish news agency TT reported Tuesday.

Hanna wrote he wanted to "apologize to those who feel attacked by interpretations of my post."

"I have always been clear that I believe that all people have equal value," he wrote.

Hanna wrote on his blog last week that "if you elect to live unwisely then you have to pay extra so that we can fund any additional costs that you will cost society, if you get older."