Fair enough, I see that now on a re-read. Sorry for mischaracterizing your position. But I still think taxing a thing, especially in this particular way where

Fair enough, I see that now on a re-read. Sorry for mischaracterizing your position. But I still think taxing a thing, especially in this particular way where the policy is very clearly saying "we want to address this particular behavior" is a way for a society to indicate that it wishes to change. Stigma can be very powerful and useful for changing behavior and, through attrition, culture. Though obviously it can go overboard. [EDIT: wording]