What are excise or sin taxes designed to do?

Excise or sin taxes are specifically designed to raise revenue while simultaneously discouraging the consumption of certain goods that are deemed harmful or undesirable, such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. By imposing higher taxes on these products, governments aim to not only generate funds for public services but also to influence consumer behavior by making these goods more expensive, thereby reducing overall usage.

These taxes reflect a public policy goal of promoting healthier choices among citizens and mitigating negative externalities associated with excessive consumption of such products. The approach is rooted in the understanding that price can affect consumption patterns; hence, the dual purpose of generating revenue and decreasing usage works in tandem to achieve public health objectives and fund related programs.