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Malta
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Slovakia
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Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom
Spain is one of the freest countries in the index when it comes to lifestyle matters. With relaxed licensing laws, it has some of the lowest rates of tax on beer and spirits and, as in most southern European countries, there is no duty on wine. Some local councils have banned happy hours and/or bulk buys, but there is no national prohibition on either.
Spain is surprisingly uptight about alcohol advertising. Beer and wine can only be advertised after 8.30 PM, and until recently, there was a total ban on spirits being advertised on television. This was relaxed slightly in 2022, but such commercials can still only be shown between 1 AM and 5 AM. Billboards for spirits cannot be shown in places where alcohol consumption is not permitted. This covers a lot of ground, since 10 out of 17 Spanish regions ban drinking outdoors.
Once adjusted for income, Spain’s cigarette taxes are below average for an EU country, and there is no tax on e-cigarette fluid. In recent years, there has been talk from the health minister about introducing plain packaging, banning smoking on beaches, banning e-cigarette advertisements, and taxing vape juice. Fortunately, nothing has come of this yet. Spain already has an extensive workplace smoking ban (since 2005) and a total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants (since 2011). Smoking is banned in a few outdoor areas, including schools, hospitals, and playgrounds.
Vaping is banned in various public places, such as in schools and on public transport, but it is left to the owner’s discretion in private workplaces, bars, and restaurants. Cross-border sale of e-cigarette fluid is banned.
In December 2016, the Spanish government announced that it would be introducing a tax on soft drinks to help reduce the national deficit, but the government later shelved the idea because it did not want to hurt the working class. Instead, it raised the VAT on sugary (and artificially sweetened) drinks from 10 per cent to the standard rate of 21 per cent in 2021. The region of Catalonia has had a real sugar tax since May 2018. The rate is two-tiered with drinks containing 5–8 g of sugar per 100 ml taxed at €0.08 per litre, while drinks that have more than 8 g of sugar per 100 ml are taxed at €0.12 per litre.
With thanks to Fundación para el Avance de la Libertad
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 versions: 2021, 2019, 2017
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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).
Spain 2023
Spain is one of the freest countries in the index when it comes to lifestyle matters. With relaxed licensing laws, it has some of the lowest rates of tax on beer and spirits and, as in most southern European countries, there is no duty on wine. Some local councils have banned happy hours and/or bulk buys, but there is no national prohibition on either.
Spain is surprisingly uptight about alcohol advertising. Beer and wine can only be advertised after 8.30 PM, and until recently, there was a total ban on spirits being advertised on television. This was relaxed slightly in 2022, but such commercials can still only be shown between 1 AM and 5 AM. Billboards for spirits cannot be shown in places where alcohol consumption is not permitted. This covers a lot of ground, since 10 out of 17 Spanish regions ban drinking outdoors.
Once adjusted for income, Spain’s cigarette taxes are below average for an EU country, and there is no tax on e-cigarette fluid. In recent years, there has been talk from the health minister about introducing plain packaging, banning smoking on beaches, banning e-cigarette advertisements, and taxing vape juice. Fortunately, nothing has come of this yet. Spain already has an extensive workplace smoking ban (since 2005) and a total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants (since 2011). Smoking is banned in a few outdoor areas, including schools, hospitals, and playgrounds.
Vaping is banned in various public places, such as in schools and on public transport, but it is left to the owner’s discretion in private workplaces, bars, and restaurants. Cross-border sale of e-cigarette fluid is banned.
In December 2016, the Spanish government announced that it would be introducing a tax on soft drinks to help reduce the national deficit, but the government later shelved the idea because it did not want to hurt the working class. Instead, it raised the VAT on sugary (and artificially sweetened) drinks from 10 per cent to the standard rate of 21 per cent in 2021. The region of Catalonia has had a real sugar tax since May 2018. The rate is two-tiered with drinks containing 5–8 g of sugar per 100 ml taxed at €0.08 per litre, while drinks that have more than 8 g of sugar per 100 ml are taxed at €0.12 per litre.
With thanks to Fundación para el Avance de la Libertad
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