To Increase the Sin Tax Would Be a Sin
To Increase the Sin Tax Would Be a Sin
ENG 122 English Composition II
Marnie Nollette
April 1, 2013
To Increase the Sin Tax Would Be a Sin When random citizens are asked today what their opinion is of taxes, more than likely their response would be they pay too much. Taxes continue to increase on just about anything that is purchased. The pockets of American people are being drained by dozens of different taxes. Sin taxes are just one of these taxes. Sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco should not be increased to cover rising medical costs because taxes should be based on income not vices. An increase in sin taxes does not just affect the individual with the addiction. Increasing the sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco simply to cover rising medical costs would have an adverse effect on every household member. If the head of household is addicted to either of these vices, and is also the individual in charge of the household budget, monies that would normally be allocated for other expenses are spent on the increased tax instead (Black, et al., 2006). Each member of the household is going to suffer. This is true for every income group. It does not matter how much excess money is left over at the end of the month. An increase in sin taxes for both tobacco and alcohol would have an effect on every household. For the lower income households the extra sin taxes could mean the difference in whether or not the rent is getting paid for the month, or if there is going to be food in the table. Those in favor of increasing the sin taxes are not thinking that this extra money that is now a tax would be better spent on basic living expenses. The other household members can suffer through the re-allocation of the household budget to make the alcohol and tobacco purchase, or through higher health care expenses caused by substituting cheaper and lower quality alcohol and tobacco products for higher quality products. If the tax is going to increase and the
ENG 122 English Composition II
Marnie Nollette
April 1, 2013
To Increase the Sin Tax Would Be a Sin When random citizens are asked today what their opinion is of taxes, more than likely their response would be they pay too much. Taxes continue to increase on just about anything that is purchased. The pockets of American people are being drained by dozens of different taxes. Sin taxes are just one of these taxes. Sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco should not be increased to cover rising medical costs because taxes should be based on income not vices. An increase in sin taxes does not just affect the individual with the addiction. Increasing the sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco simply to cover rising medical costs would have an adverse effect on every household member. If the head of household is addicted to either of these vices, and is also the individual in charge of the household budget, monies that would normally be allocated for other expenses are spent on the increased tax instead (Black, et al., 2006). Each member of the household is going to suffer. This is true for every income group. It does not matter how much excess money is left over at the end of the month. An increase in sin taxes for both tobacco and alcohol would have an effect on every household. For the lower income households the extra sin taxes could mean the difference in whether or not the rent is getting paid for the month, or if there is going to be food in the table. Those in favor of increasing the sin taxes are not thinking that this extra money that is now a tax would be better spent on basic living expenses. The other household members can suffer through the re-allocation of the household budget to make the alcohol and tobacco purchase, or through higher health care expenses caused by substituting cheaper and lower quality alcohol and tobacco products for higher quality products. If the tax is going to increase and the
References: Baxandall, P. (2003). Taxing Habits. Retrieved March 11, 2013, from http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/nerr/rr2003/q1/taxhabits.htm Black, P. A., & Mohamed, A. I. (2006). 'Sin ' Taxes and Poor Households: Unanticipated Effects. South African Journal Of Economics, 74(1), 131-136 Risks of smoker surcharge. (2006, Feb 26). Los Angeles Times, pp. 0-C.2. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/422039766?accountid=32521 Tiihonen, J., Ronkainen, K., Kangasharju, A., & Kauhanen, J