Cigarette Taxes: Sin Taxes or Sinful Taxes?

Abstract

This paper is divided into two main parts. Section I examines the arguments supporting and opposing new cigarette taxes. Subsections include subsection I, the history of cigarette tax; subsection II, the rationales of cigarette taxes and supporting arguments for taxes increase; subsection III, arguments against raising taxes. Section II zooms in to investigate the regressivity of cigarette taxes. Subsections include subsection I, the regressivity of cigarette taxes and whether higher taxes rates make them less regressive; subsection II, methods in reducing the regressivity and feasibly alternatives to promote public health. [From Introduction]