The Great Recession made sin taxes popular and controversial.  State and municipalities like the regulatory tool that offers some relief for budget deficits and help to cope with sins lead to obesity, excessive drinking, smoking, and pollution.  Sin industry and some "sinners," however, do not welcome sin taxes. In New York, the battle over soda tax ended with a victory for supporters of sins (see RegState.net's summary). Overall, however, the anti-sin movement records many victories.

In Washington State, in February 2010, Governor Christine Gregoire proposed "a Balanced Approach for Hard Times " that included a list of sin taxes, such as tax on carbonated beverages, bottled water, candy, and gum, and increased tax on cigarettes.  In April 2010, the state legislature endorsed its proposal (SB6143).  The beverage industry quickly responded and mobilized local sinners and anti-tax forces to collect 395,000 signatures to place Initiative 1107 on the November 2010 ballot to repeal the local sin taxes.