The Week contest: Vice Tax - October 8, 2010

Welcome to The Week's "What Next?" contest, an invitation to test your powers of imagination with challenges inspired by current events.

Click here for results of last week's contest: Food Name

Results: In desperate need of cash, the nation’s legislators have slapped ever-escalating "sin taxes’" on smoking, drinking — even sugary sodas. We asked for the next vice to be taxed, and the new tax’s name. You filed:

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How to enter:

THE WINNER: Tax on Excessive Texting: Thumb Tax

Rick Simpson, Sacramento, CA

SECOND PLACE: Tax on Adult Entertainment: Pornogra-Fee

John MacMillan, St Augustine, FL

THIRD PLACE: Tax on Ending a Sentence with a Preposition: SynTax

Sheldon D. Malett, Rochester, NY

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Tax on Condoms: Lay-tax

Lydia Lundeen, Alameda Las Cruces, NM

Tax on Condoms: Stimulus Charge

Ted Cohen, Staten Island

Tax on Breath Mints: Tic-Tax

Alan Parven, Commerce Twp, MI

Tax on Bad Karaoke: Justin TimberTax

Jeff Sawyer, Mt. Horeb, WI

Tax on Bottled Water: Aqua Fine

Roger Selsback, Burlingame CA

Tax on Adult Magazines: Nudie Duty

Tracy Shenton, Garrison NY

Tax on Marijuana: 50 Bucks a Head

Bobby Schackow, Gainesville, FL

Tax on Exotic Reptiles: Value Adder Tax

John Wallington, Key Biscayne, FL

Tax on Plastic Surgery: Bo-Tax

Jeff Semion, State College, PA

Tax on Super-Sizing: Excess Tax

Sue LeMontre, San Diego

Tax on Breath Mints: Tic-Tax

Alan Parven, Commerce Twp, MI

Tax on Viagra: Inflation Tax

Richard Koretz, Kenwood, CA

Tax on Strip Clubs: Pole Tax

Frank Kilcoyne, San Diego

Tax on Prostitution: Booty Duty

Farley Bolwell, Eagle, CO

Tax on Wearing Animal Skins: Furcharge

Sean Braswell, Chapel Hill, NC

Tax on Hard Work: Income Tax

Russell Frank, Gorham, ME