Fast-food tax is good; vegetarianism is better If passed, the proposed "sin tax" on fast food, which is intended to help raise money for local hospitals, really should exclude healthy vegetarian items, including the BK veggie burger. Vegetarian foods are far less likely to land people in the hospital with heart disease, strokes, certain cancers, diabetes and other diet-related diseases. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has long advocated a tax on meat, partly because fatty, high-cholesterol hamburgers and fried fish sandwiches contribute to obesity and other health problems that have sent America's health care costs skyrocketing. People can improve their health and lower their medical bills if they choose veggie burgers instead of Big Macs and Whoppers. And if New Jersey residents are forced to fork over some extra green on meat, some may make "greener" food choices - vegetarian choices, that is. According to the United Nations, the meat industry is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems at every scale from local to global." Whether a fast-food tax is implemented or not, we can make a difference for ourselves, animals and the environment by choosing vegetarian options. See www.GoVeg.com for more information and a free vegetarian starter kit. Heather Moore People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Norfolk, Va.