sin taxes

     "Sin taxes" are not collected by the church, or by Satan, but by the government.  Sin taxes are the taxes built into the price of alcohol and tobacco.  A large portion of the price of alcohol and tobacco products is tax, before any sales tax is added. We voters have decided that this is fair, since tobacco and alcohol cost society more than other goods do--in cash, not merely in "sin." Alcohol use makes additional law enforcement necessary, takes up more time in court, and causes accidents. Tobacco use makes additional health care resources necessary. The "sin taxes" aren't  religious taxes, they are an attempt to tax fairly.