Scotland's docs reject chocolate tax

GLASGOW, Scotland, March 13 (UPI) -- Doctors in Scotland rejected a proposal calling for chocolate to be taxed like alcohol and tobacco.

Supporters said the tax would help reduce rising obesity rates. Dr. David Walker, a general practitioner, told a medical conference the tax revenue could be used to pay for treatment of obesity-related health conditions or new exercise facilities, The Herald newspaper reported Friday.

Delegates at the Scottish Local Medical Committee Conference rejected the plan 34-32.

Laurence Buckman, chairman of the General Practitioners' Committee, said the key to reducing obesity is teaching people how to eat healthy, not instituting punitive measures.