Group pushes for junk food tax on Navajo Nation

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — An advocacy group is campaigning for a new sales tax on the Navajo Nation that would target junk food.

Members of the Dine Community Advocacy Alliance say they hope that a 2-percent tax on all junk food sold on the reservation would discourage Navajos from buying foods that are linked to health issues that include obesity and diabetes.

The Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/YDpTok) that the group has been visiting Navajo chapter houses in an effort to gain support but that it hasn’t been easy.

One of the group’s organizers, Shirley Montoya, says some community members say they are already taxed enough and won’t be able to afford it. However, she contends they shouldn’t be eating junk food.

The group suggests the tax target items such as chips, candy, ice cream, pizza and soda.

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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com