Comments on: What is a Sin Tax?

By: Harry Godwin

Harry Godwin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:25:22 +0000

People are going to sin anyway, so why not let them contribute to society while they do it by paying a little tax?

By: House Flip Update / Roundup

House Flip Update / Roundup — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:31:47 +0000

[...] What is a Sin Tax? at My Journey to Millions [...]

By: Jake Stichler

Jake Stichler — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:37:36 +0000

That’s crazy talk. Being in a situation like that, cigarettes were about the only thing getting me through the day.

By: myfinancialobjectives

myfinancialobjectives — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:48:26 +0000

I am not opposed to it, however I usually don’t partake in any of the “sinful” taxes. I don’t eat fast food, I dont smoke, hardly drink, and only gable on vacation. However, who am I to decide what is considered “sinful” – The same question you guys have been talking about. It’s a never ending debate you could have.

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:51:01 +0000

Evan,
Intriguing topic and great discussion. I think that using “government” and “morality” in the same sentence is an oxymoron. Our politicians overspend and then justify higher taxes to fund their own inadequacies by calling them “sin” taxes. Ever hear of the pot calling the kettle black?

By: Jon DeGroff

Jon DeGroff — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:57:45 +0000

While I don’t smoke, drink (more than a beer here and there), or gamble, I’m still not a fan of a “sin” tax. I’m just not a big fan of the government telling me what is right for me to consume and what is wrong for me to consume.
I just don’t think we can adequately know what is “next” when they start taxing this stuff…
Thought provoking blog.

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:56:43 +0000

Personally, I have a bigger problem with the “stupid tax” aka the lottery.

Aren’t most sin taxes approved by the voters? I guess if the majority of the people think something is moral or immoral that’s better than politicians deciding for us. I personally don’t have a problem with these taxes (I don’t smoke or drink other than an occasional beer), but agree they are a bit arbitrary.

Perhaps if the government is worried about kids getting fat, they should put an age limit on soda rather than taxing it?

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:24:42 +0000

I think in theory the idea of a ‘sin’ tax is a good one. It’s certainly easy for a politician to sell. But like you said, who is to say what counts as a ‘sin’? I feel like this is somewhat similar to what they did in New York City when they made trans fat illegal. This is clearly better for the public’s health and for that reason I think it was a good move, but I think it steps over the boundaries of personal choice a bit.

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:53:25 +0000

FAM,

Sorry to hear about your mother. I just had a buddy who is pregnant lose her mother to cancer very tough time for them.
…
While you don’t see sin taxes as a moral choice for others there are those that proclaim them to be such. Ignoring that argument just for a second, I can kind of see the point about raising costs for society, BUT I have to agree with Darwin,

“Weâ€™ve seen it over and over, tax something new, piss it away and everyone forgets about the last hike when a new one is enacted. ”

New York just enacted a cig hike, bringing up a pack to Lord knows what (doesn’t really affect me), but do you REALLY think the extra couple hundred million brought in is to pay for the soon to be sick? No shot it is being used TODAY or rather YESTERDAY to pay for budget gaps because no one can stop spending.

By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:21:46 +0000

It’s not really a “moral choice for others.” It’s a financial choice. For everyone. The sickness that tobacco causes–and alcohol, too, which also causes injury and property damage–is paid for by all of us, in the form of higher insurance premiums and taxes to pay for indigent healthcare.

Nicotine is more addictive than heroin. Once a person is hooked (for many people, this takes only a few cigarettes), it’s extremely difficult to get off it. Witness Jake’s remark that he was more worried about how to buy cigarettes than about how to buy food. He’s not kidding. Talk to anyone who’s trying to kick this drug, and you’ll learn that withdrawal is physically painful; talk to those who have been off it for years, and you’ll learn that the craving for tobacco never fully goes away.

I wish my mother could have made the “moral choice” to get off the tobacco. She might have lived to see her grandson.

It’s not a moral choice. For many people there’s no choice at all — either for the addicts or for the rest of us who have to underwrite the consequences of their addiction.