Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
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Cyprus
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Denmark
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France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
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United Kingdom
Once again, Germany takes the crown as the best country to drink, smoke, vape, and eat in the EU. Taxes on beer and spirits are among the lowest in Europe after adjusting for income, and while tobacco duty is not particularly low, it is less than half of that of the UK and Ireland. It has no tax on sugary drinks or wine.
Smoking restrictions vary by region, but only three of the sixteen states have a comprehensive smoking ban (North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Saarland). The rest have significant exemptions based on the size of the premises, the status of the establishment (e.g., private clubs), and whether or not food is served. The result is that, in the majority of German states, some bars have a designated smoking room at the minimum. Smoking and vaping are forbidden on public transport.
Germany has avoided many of the nanny state fads of recent years. It has no sugar tax, no plain packaging mandate, no restrictions on e-cigarette flavours, and no retail display bans. It allows alcohol advertising in all its forms, including on television after 6 PM, and there is no statutory closing time for bars. E-cigarettes can be sold and used without restriction. Cross-border sales are legal and e-cigarette products can be advertised within the confines of EU legislation.
Alas, even Germany has started capitulating to the forces of the nanny state. A new tax on e-cigarette fluid began in July 2022. Initially set at €0.16 per ml, it will rise to €0.20 in 2024, €0.26 in 2025, and €0.32 in 2026. Even nicotine-free fluid is included.
Germany used to permit a significant amount of tobacco advertising, but that changed in 2022 when all tobacco ads were banned except at the point of sale. By 2024, these rules will also apply to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
There are still no nanny state policies on food and soft drinks, although the government has entered a ‘voluntary’ agreement with the industry to reformulate food products to achieve a reduction in sugar consumption of at least 10 per cent by 2025. The German government’s drugs czar, Burkhard Blienert, has proposed raising the legal age when people can buy beer and wine from 16 to 18.
Germany has had a good run, but it looks like we will have a new winner next time.
With thanks to the Prometheus – Das Freiheitsinstitut
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).
Germany 2023
Once again, Germany takes the crown as the best country to drink, smoke, vape, and eat in the EU. Taxes on beer and spirits are among the lowest in Europe after adjusting for income, and while tobacco duty is not particularly low, it is less than half of that of the UK and Ireland. It has no tax on sugary drinks or wine.
Smoking restrictions vary by region, but only three of the sixteen states have a comprehensive smoking ban (North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Saarland). The rest have significant exemptions based on the size of the premises, the status of the establishment (e.g., private clubs), and whether or not food is served. The result is that, in the majority of German states, some bars have a designated smoking room at the minimum. Smoking and vaping are forbidden on public transport.
Germany has avoided many of the nanny state fads of recent years. It has no sugar tax, no plain packaging mandate, no restrictions on e-cigarette flavours, and no retail display bans. It allows alcohol advertising in all its forms, including on television after 6 PM, and there is no statutory closing time for bars. E-cigarettes can be sold and used without restriction. Cross-border sales are legal and e-cigarette products can be advertised within the confines of EU legislation.
Alas, even Germany has started capitulating to the forces of the nanny state. A new tax on e-cigarette fluid began in July 2022. Initially set at €0.16 per ml, it will rise to €0.20 in 2024, €0.26 in 2025, and €0.32 in 2026. Even nicotine-free fluid is included.
Germany used to permit a significant amount of tobacco advertising, but that changed in 2022 when all tobacco ads were banned except at the point of sale. By 2024, these rules will also apply to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
There are still no nanny state policies on food and soft drinks, although the government has entered a ‘voluntary’ agreement with the industry to reformulate food products to achieve a reduction in sugar consumption of at least 10 per cent by 2025. The German government’s drugs czar, Burkhard Blienert, has proposed raising the legal age when people can buy beer and wine from 16 to 18.
Germany has had a good run, but it looks like we will have a new winner next time.
With thanks to the Prometheus – Das Freiheitsinstitut
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