LAHORE - It seems that the Hungarian 'chips (or crisps) tax is achieving its goal. After its first quarter the government can already pay bonuses to 42,000 healthcare workers, says a Press release. With the intention of improving the level of health among the population, since 1 September 2011 the tax has been levied on food products proven to have harmful effects on health. In introducing it the government has undertaken to use revenues from the sale of products high in salt, sugar or carbohydrates to help fund public healthcare. The experiences of its first quarter have borne out expectations: several producers have changed unhealthy ingredients or reduced the levels of these (e.g. salt and sugar) in their food products. The state budget has also benefited from this tax to the tune of HUF 2.347 billion (to 25 November 2011). Workers with extreme workloads and increased risk will receive a one-off payment from this years tax revenue equal to bonuses for three months. This means that nearly 42,000 healthcare workers will receive one-off payments of HUF 21 600, HUF 72 000 or HUF 90 000, in a package totalling HUF 3.4 billion. This time workers receiving the payment will include those exposed to increased physical and psychological burdens as a result of working directly in patient care, or in contact with other potential health risks.