Idiom idiom
sin tax
Meaning
A government-imposed tax on a specific good, service, or activity which is legal but widely considered to be unwholesome or socially harmful, such as a tax on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or gambling.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“The government adds a sin tax to cigarettes and alcohol.”
“Many countries use a sin tax to discourage people from buying products that are bad for their health.”
“Economists often debate whether a sin tax effectively reduces consumption or simply places an unfair financial burden on those struggling with addiction.”
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Last updated August 10, 2026