Commodity Quote by Adam Smith
“Sugar, rum and tobacco are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which are become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are therefore extremely proper subjects of taxation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, 1776
Non‑essential goods like sugar, rum, and tobacco become widespread, making them suitable for taxation.
In simple terms: Common luxuries are good tax bases.
Key Takeaway
Consider taxing widely used non‑necessities.
Themes
economics
taxation
consumer behavior
Mood
analytical
neutral
Type
economic
policy
When to use this quote
- government revenue planning
- public health policy
Key Concepts
Public finance
commodity markets
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it fair to tax luxury items?
- What are the health implications?
A Different Perspective
May encourage over‑consumption or regressive impact.
