y are we taxed on things that are addictive cigs and alcohol?

Answer 1

It's a great way to make money.

Answer 2

It has been shown that taxing these things heavily discourages kids from getting addicted in the first place. And since govenrments have to pay a lot in health care costs for tobacco addicts and alcohol abusers, it's only fair that people who use these substances should help pay rather than having all the costs come out of general revenues, that is, taxes also paid by non-smokers and non-drinkers.

Answer 3

The whole point of raising taxes on cigarettes is to discourage people from buying them.

I know people who have given up smoking because they just couldn't afford it anymore!!!

As for alcohol - again the theory is that taxing it and making it expensive discourages people from drinking too much.

But they get around it with duty frees and whatnot.

Plus you don't actually "need" fags and booze so its more fitting that the higher taxes are on them and not things like bread.

Answer 4

This government is taking care of every kid popped out by every guy not wearing a condom who then disappears, everyone in the military and their families, every road we drive in, every street that gets plowed, every bridge we drive over, every old person w/o money/ every sick person w/o money who goes to the ER because they have no health insurance, every baby born whose parents have no money.. Oh, there is a LOT more. Eventually we will be paying for all this war stuff that is going on and that will take 100s of years. WHAT do you think taxes are for? I am already paying for all that why should I pay for YOU to drink and smoke and then for the hospital care you need when your liver and lungs fall out? That is just a small part of what taxes pay for...sheesh!

Answer 5

I do not know at what point the bills were passed but sin tax caught on. We can allow a stiff tax on something destructive, as opposed to a ban that would cost taxes. And sin taxes make allot of bank.

Answer 6

Here's another one for ya.... why does the American government subsidize American tobacco growers. Aren't they using the taxes from cigs to just grow more?

I don't think the federal government should support a life threatening drug.

Answer 7

Good question. How many drug rehabilitation clinics have the government opened up with the money? If they are taxing us that highly what are they doing with the money as far as treating the addiction is concerned?

Answer 8

this is been shown that taxing those issues heavily discourages young infants from getting addicted in the 1st place. and because govenrments ought to pay plenty in wellbeing care expenditures for tobacco addicts and alcohol abusers, this is purely honest that individuals who use those ingredients ought to help pay extremely than having each and all of the expenditures pop out of generic sales, this is, taxes additionally paid by way of non-human beings who smoke and non-drinkers.

Answer 9

We get taxed on everything not just cigs and alcohol, last week I had VAT added to a new car tyre and my phone bill -bastards

Answer 10

We're taxed on them because our Government is corrupt as hell and sees that these substances are addictive, so they add a 200%+ tax on these items so they gain billions of dollars a day.

Answer 11

because the government puts taxes on them because they are bad for you and the extra revenue made from them can be used to help pay for treatment of health problems associated with alcoholism and smoking - heart disease, lung cancer, liver cirrhosis etc. as the NHS struggles financially as it is, and need the money made from alcohol and cigarettes, as such I think its fair enough that people that choose to drink alcohol and smoke help pay a little money towards treatment that they are going to need if they never kick the habit!