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
Czechia’s reputation as a haven of liberty took a knock in May 2017 when an extensive smoking ban came into effect. The ban allows for no designated smoking rooms and no exemptions, except for shisha. A survey conducted at the end of 2017 found that 58 per cent of Czechs thought that the ban was too extreme, but attempts to partially relax it have failed. Fines of 5,000 CZK (€185) can be imposed on those who break the law, and the owners of venues can be fined up to 50,000 CZK (€1,850).
Since then, there has been little to report. The country continues to score well on food, alcohol, and e-cigarette regulation. There is no wine duty and beer taxes are relatively low. There are no sin taxes on soft drinks.
E-cigarettes can be advertised within the confines of EU law and vaping is only prohibited in a limited number of public places such as airports and public transport. There is no tax on e-cigarette fluid.
Czechia remains an attractive country for beer drinkers. In 2020, the government reduced the VAT on beer sold in restaurants from 21 per cent to 10 per cent. As in most EU countries, there is no mandatory closing time for bars and no restrictions on promotions such as happy hours. Alcohol advertising is largely unrestricted except in some outdoor areas (e.g., outside schools).
Tobacco taxes have been rising for years and are now above average for an EU member state once adjusted for income. Cigarettes can be displayed in shops and bought from vending machines, but the sale of alcohol from vending machines was banned in 2018.
With thanks to the Liberální Institut
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).
Czechia 2023
Czechia’s reputation as a haven of liberty took a knock in May 2017 when an extensive smoking ban came into effect. The ban allows for no designated smoking rooms and no exemptions, except for shisha. A survey conducted at the end of 2017 found that 58 per cent of Czechs thought that the ban was too extreme, but attempts to partially relax it have failed. Fines of 5,000 CZK (€185) can be imposed on those who break the law, and the owners of venues can be fined up to 50,000 CZK (€1,850).
Since then, there has been little to report. The country continues to score well on food, alcohol, and e-cigarette regulation. There is no wine duty and beer taxes are relatively low. There are no sin taxes on soft drinks.
E-cigarettes can be advertised within the confines of EU law and vaping is only prohibited in a limited number of public places such as airports and public transport. There is no tax on e-cigarette fluid.
Czechia remains an attractive country for beer drinkers. In 2020, the government reduced the VAT on beer sold in restaurants from 21 per cent to 10 per cent. As in most EU countries, there is no mandatory closing time for bars and no restrictions on promotions such as happy hours. Alcohol advertising is largely unrestricted except in some outdoor areas (e.g., outside schools).
Tobacco taxes have been rising for years and are now above average for an EU member state once adjusted for income. Cigarettes can be displayed in shops and bought from vending machines, but the sale of alcohol from vending machines was banned in 2018.
With thanks to the Liberální Institut
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