One of the foremost referenced hindrances to truly achieving happiness is social …show more content…
While few people enjoy paying taxes, some taxes make people happier because they improve the overall quality of people’s lives. In their study of smoking and cigarette taxes, Gruber and Mullainathan (2006) conclude, “taxes may affect the happiness of former smokers (by making it easier to resist the temptation to resume smoking) or prospective smokers (by making it easier to never start smoking in the first place)” (p. 139). This example demonstrates how a society’s rules can lead to the general happiness of its populations, even through the apparent negative practice of increased taxation. Taxes also contribute to the funds available for other social purpose, which proves further justification for their