With more and more money going to health care (which of course we are against), it makes sense to tax unhealthy behaviors. For the same reason, it causes public money to be used so more money should come from unhealthy products. While I don’t agree with health related taxes (since an individual’s body is private property not public), I can understand the argument for it. I do agree that government does have a responsibility to incentivise behaviors that are in public interest.

But is it the government’s position to legislate morality in the first place? Should this not be left to parents and friends? “Sin” taxes create a moral quandary for state governments: They are put in the position of condemning certain behaviors of their choosing while also expecting people to continue those behaviors because the state needs tax money. California is considering taxing ammunition because it causes gun injuries. Is this right? When will it stop? Lawmakers are only responsible for protecting public life and liberty.. but giving them the position and ability to regulate personal choices is wrong… Would you pull the cheeseburger out of a fat persons hand simply because its bad for him? No. So why essentially support someone else to do it to him on your behalf?

For people who support recycling because the trash won’t go away naturally. They claim that it is too cheap to throw away trash because it doesn’t deal with the permanent externalities of having to store that trash. To these people, I suggest that raising taxes on trash storage would be the most effective way to promote recycling or at least less waste.

Incentivising and disincentivising behaviors is the only acceptable way to influence public behavior. I support sin taxes, I support