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Alcohol, tobacco, and gaming markets are deeply-rooted in American history.  Not surprisingly, they are also among the most heavily regulated and politicized markets in our economy.  While not all Americans choose to drink, smoke, or gamble, most would agree that the choice to do so is an essential aspect of a free society.  Yet there remains great disagreement over the method, manner, and extent to which government should curtail these behaviors.

For many, these activities have come to embody the American spirit of individual liberty and freedom.  Others argue that drinking, smoking, and gambling impose high social costs on society, and that such behaviors should be taxed and regulated accordingly.  As a result, policymakers face great challenges in developing rules and institutions that effectively address the varied concerns and interests at stake.

By focusing on the principles that underlie the current debates in alcohol, tobacco, and gaming policy, this course will present a multi-layered framework for analysis.  Participation in this program will allow you to better address the following questions:

• What are the primary justifications for "sin" taxes? Who bears the burdens of these measures? 
• How and why did public lotteries develop in the United States? 
• What might explain the expansion of legalized gambling over the latter half of the 20^th Century? What about casinos on Indian Reservations? Internet gambling? 
• What social, political, and economic forces influenced the adoption of the 18^th and 21^st Amendments regarding prohibition? 
• Who were the "winners" and "losers" in the recent tobacco lawsuit settlement? 
• How do international trade negotiations affect the domestic tobacco industry? What about developing countries?