on Sin Taxes

The Economist has a piece on how the effectiveness of sin taxes is leading to a government shortfall in revenues (UK Government). What they fail to address is how the gains lifespan, that will result from such a change in behavior, will effect the economy. A longer life span will lead to more productivity per person, an expansion of the work force and therefore a greater expansion of the economy in comparison to one with more drinking, smoking and gas consumption. While a short term problem it certainly is (much in the same way the EPA's critics claim higher environmental standards are bad for business) the long term gains far outweigh it.