Public Says Obesity a Problem, but Opposes a Junk Food Tax

While nearly all Americans consider obesity to be a very or somewhat serious public health problem, a big majority opposes a tax on junk food and doesn't believe such a tax would encourage people to lose weight, according to a CBS News poll conducted Dec. 17-22.

Fifty-seven percent of those polled said obesity was a very serious problem for Americans and 38 percent regarded it as somewhat serious.

But 60 percent oppose a tax on junk food as a solution and 72 percent don't believe such a tax would encourage people to lose weight.