Fifty percent (50%) of Americans favor increasing taxes on beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages to help provide health insurance for every one in the country.

Forty percent (40%) are against such tax increases, and 10% are not sure in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of women support more taxes on alcohol, compared to 42% of men. Both men and women under the age of 40 are more supportive of higher taxes on alcoholic beverages than their elders.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats think an increase in so-called “sin taxes” on alcohol is a good idea, but 54% of Republicans disagree. Adults not affiliated with either major party are closely divided on the question.

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While half the nation supports higher taxes on alcohol products, just 34% support higher taxes on another target sometimes eyed for “sin taxes”--non-diet soft drinks.

In January, 70% of Americans said they opposed a national tax on all non-diet soft drinks to combat obesity. Just 16% of New York voters agreed with their governor’s proposal for “sin taxes” to help balance the state budget.

Overall, 32% say they’d be willing to pay higher taxes so that health insurance could be provided for all Americans, but 54% are not.

Americans are narrowly split on the idea of providing free health care to all U.S. citizens. But there is sizable opposition to universal health care if adults are forced to give up their current insurance plans and join a government-run plan.

Overall, just 35% rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent, but 70% of those with insurance rate their own coverage as good or excellent.

Of four priorities cited by President Obama in a speech earlier this year, cutting the deficit in half in four years is considered most important by a pluralityof voters, followed by health care reform.

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