And they shall sin no more

[question everything]

sounds as if I am trying to quote some religious text but I have been thinking about the so-called "sin tax" when I see an ad on DU Home Page calling for increasing cigarettes tax.. again.

No, I am not a smoker and drink perhaps two glasses of wine a week (and a beer on very hot muggy summer days - Fat Tire).

But I often think: what will happen if people will stop smoking, drinking, be engaged in other vice activities that we like to tax?

Will our legislators be happy that we are having healthier citizens, or will they moan the fact that there is a budget shortfall?

And why do we always pick on the poor crowd, often low income ones, whose sole source of pleasure is cigarettes and booze?

[ChazII]

1. Legislatures will find some new 'vice' to tax.

ETA: I agree with your view point.

[question everything]

2. Perhaps this is why we need to decriminalize

prostitution. This can be something else to tax..

[stirlingsliver]

3. Same With Lotteries

Lotteries are little more than taxes on the poorest people.

Especially "scratchers".

When was the last time you saw a wealthy person (or even an "upper middle class" person standing in line to buy a scratcher at a 7-11?)

[damntexdem]

4. If we raise taxes enough that everyone stops smoking ...

I'll shout "hurrah." And the costs to government for healthcare coverage of illnesses caused by smoking will go down enough that I will be able to draw my Social Security, after all. ;-)

I'll worry about the eradication of vices if even one instance ever occurs.