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The word "sin" implicates that it's all about morality, but there are also real negative externalities associated with these stimulants that are costing society
by svantana 9y ago
The word "sin" implicates that it's all about morality, but there are also real negative externalities associated with these stimulants that are costing society a lot of money. Also, taxes have to come from somewhere, isn't it good to tax things that are (on average) bad for society rather than only good/neutral things (like income)?
- saas_co_de 9y agoYes, it is everyone paying for the "sin" of working who picks up the health care tab so I am fine with shifting some of the burden.
- bryanlarsen 9y ago"Pigouvian tax" is the term for a tax on negative externalities. A tax on sugar is both a sin tax and a Pigouvian tax. IMO the real reason for its introduction was the sin tax angle, but it's Pigouvian tax principles is what makes it a "good" tax.
- pm90 9y agoI was under the impression that the taxes were more from a public health perspective: smoking, alcohol etc. are leading causes of death and we want to discourage public consumption while at the same time raising revenue
- bryanlarsen 9y agoThat's basically the definition of a sin tax: a tax to discourage you from doing things that are bad for you.