"Sin" stocks: Investing in vice

"Even in bad times, folks are often not prepared to relinquish their 'pleasures'," says small cap growth stock specialist Ian Cooper.

 in SC Trading Pit, he explians, "Even in shaky economic times, 'vice' stocks can generate  astonishing gains." Here, he looks at a trio of  issues catering to "sins" that he feels offers investors downside protection.

"When people start to worry - as they're doing right this minute - they inherently seek certain (somewhat self-destructive) outlets for comfort and hope. 

"Most of the time, they're in the form of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other comfort and hope "vices". And when the economy's bad, these vices surge like clockwork. Smokers continue to smoke. Drinkers continue to drink. And gamblers continue to gamble. 

"Investors can take a look at the Vice Fund (VICEX), which holds investments in alcohol, weapons, gambling and tobac