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 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).

In January 2024, the government introduced a tax on vape juice at 2.5 CZK/ml which has since risen to 5 CZK/ml (€0.20). Over the next two years it is expected to double again, making a standard 10ml bottle €4 more expensive than it needs to be and discouraging smokers from switching. Nicotine pouches are now taxed at 0.4 CZK per gramme (€0.016) and their nicotine levels are capped at 12mg per pouch.

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.

Czechia still performs relatively well in the Nanny State Index thanks to its more liberal regulation of food, soft drinks and alcohol. 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.

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 (eg. outside schools).

With thanks to the Institut Liberálních Studií