GB News presenter Tom Harwood has hit back at calls for obese Britons to "pay more for the NHS" after new data revealed the true impact on the National Health Service.
It is estimated that Britain's obesity crisis is costing the NHS around £15billion, with around 10 million people said to be addicted to junk food.
The newly released data has sparked a debate on whether those affected by obesity should "pay more" to help fund the NHS.
GB News host Tom Harwood hit back at the claims and said the health service should "cover everything" within its £180billion funding cycle.
Tom Harwood hit out at calls for obese Britons to pay more for NHS services
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Tom asked: "The cost of obesity is no doubt high, but who should bear it?"
Co-host Emily Carver asked in return: "Is it their fault that they are overweight? Should they put a little more money into the NHS coffers if they're costing it so much?"
Tom suggested that if the obesity crisis is "costing the NHS so much", they should "offer the Ozempic fat jab to far more people than are currently able to access it.
"Lots of people can get it privately - surely this would save lots and lots of money."
Ten million Britons are said to be addicted to junk food, new data has revealed
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Tom then highlighted the "fundamental problem" for the NHS and questioned how the health service is "approaching the issue" of obesity in the UK.
Tom fumed: "If you have a National Health Service that's supposed to cover everything, it shouldn't police how we live our lives.
"Very few other countries have these sorts of debates asking if people be charged in a certain way for a lifestyle choice because ultimately the way in which the care of that is funded?"
Emily agreed, adding: "If you're going to charge people more for being overweight and costing the NHS more through treatment related to the overweightness, what about people who indulge in risky activities, risky sports, horse riding, skiing, backflips, gymnastics, whatever can cause you an injury?"
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Tom Harwood said the NHS 'shouldn't police how we live our lives'
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Emily then questioned if smokers should also be asked to pay more if those who are obese are asked to.
Tom hit back at Emily's question, responding: "Smoking is taxed to the hilts!", to which Emily swiped "should junk food be taxed more then, is that what you're getting at Tom?"
Tom disagreed, fuming "Absolutely not! Firstly, define junk food. Sadiq Khan tried to define junk food on the tube and he ended up banning hummus and hotdogs!"