Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom
Cyprus has jumped up the league table since 2017 thanks to its assault on smokers and vapers. Until recently, smoking areas were permitted in bars and restaurants but a more draconian ban was narrowly passed in February 2017 removing these exemptions and extending it to some outdoor places. These rules also apply to vaping. Despite an amendment relaxing restrictions in ‘open areas’ – defined as spaces which have one open side – the smoking/vaping ban remains harsh. Businesses and individuals who breach it risk a fine of up to €850. Only vape shops are exempt. Smoking is also prohibited in cars carrying children under the age of 16.
Tobacco and e-cigarette advertising is restricted to point of sale and cigarette vending machines are banned, but there is no display ban. Alcohol advertising is largely permitted although television and radio advertisements cannot air in the daytime.
Cyprus has no nanny state laws regulating food and soft drinks. Its tax on spirits is relatively low and it is one of fourteen EU countries to have no wine duty.
In September 2017, Cyprus passed an excise tax on e-cigarette fluid of €0.12 per millilitre (€1.20 per standard bottle), even if it does not contain nicotine. It also created a new category for heat-not-burn products with a tax of €150 per kilogram. Tobacco duty is about average for an EU country.
About
The Nanny State Index (NSI) is a league table of the worst places in Europe to eat, drink, smoke and vape. The initiative was launched in March 2016 and was a media hit right across Europe. It is masterminded and led by IEA’s Christopher Snowdon with partners from all over Europe.
Enquiries: info@epicenternetwork.eu
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Previous version: 2019
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About the Editor
Christopher Snowdon is the head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs. His research focuses on lifestyle freedoms, prohibition and policy-based evidence. He is a regular contributor to the Spectator, Telegraph and Spiked and often appears on TV and radio discussing social and economic issues.
Snowdon’s work encompasses a diverse range of topics including ‘sin taxes’, state funding of charities, happiness economics, ‘public health’ regulation, gambling and the black market. Recent publications include ‘Drinking, Fast and Slow’, ‘The Proof of the Pudding: Denmark’s Fat Tax Fiasco’, ‘A Safer Bet’, and ‘You Had One Job’. He is also the author of ‘Killjoys’ (2017), ‘Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism’ (2015), ‘The Art of Suppression’ (2011), ‘The Spirit Level Delusion’ (2010), ‘Velvet Glove, Iron Fist’ (2009).
Cyprus 2019
Cyprus has jumped up the league table since 2017 thanks to its assault on smokers and vapers. Until recently, smoking areas were permitted in bars and restaurants but a more draconian ban was narrowly passed in February 2017 removing these exemptions and extending it to some outdoor places. These rules also apply to vaping. Despite an amendment relaxing restrictions in ‘open areas’ – defined as spaces which have one open side – the smoking/vaping ban remains harsh. Businesses and individuals who breach it risk a fine of up to €850. Only vape shops are exempt. Smoking is also prohibited in cars carrying children under the age of 16.
Tobacco and e-cigarette advertising is restricted to point of sale and cigarette vending machines are banned, but there is no display ban. Alcohol advertising is largely permitted although television and radio advertisements cannot air in the daytime.
Cyprus has no nanny state laws regulating food and soft drinks. Its tax on spirits is relatively low and it is one of fourteen EU countries to have no wine duty.
In September 2017, Cyprus passed an excise tax on e-cigarette fluid of €0.12 per millilitre (€1.20 per standard bottle), even if it does not contain nicotine. It also created a new category for heat-not-burn products with a tax of €150 per kilogram. Tobacco duty is about average for an EU country.
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