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Germany
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Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
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Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom
Romania does not suffer too greatly from sin taxes. There is no wine duty and the country has the lowest rate of beer duty and the third lowest rate of spirits duty in the EU. Even after adjusting for affordability, these taxes are well below the EU average. Tobacco duty is low in cash terms and about average after adjusting for income. Unfortunately, a tax on sugary drinks is on its way, but at the time of writing it is awaiting a vote from the Chamber of Deputies and is unlikely to come into force before 2020.
There is a ban on cigarette vending machines and, since March 2016, Romania has had one of Europe’s toughest bans on smoking in workplaces, including all bars and restaurants. Only airports and prisons are exempt. After protests from the public, parliament looked at amending the ban to provide designated smoking sections but this was rejected.
Vaping is not included in the smoking ban but it is banned on public transport. E-cigarettes are legal to buy, but 2016 saw the introduction of an e-cigarette tax of €0.10 per ml of fluid which has since risen to €0.11. Cross-border sales of e-cigarette fluid are banned and heat-not-burn tobacco is taxed at 383.78 RON/kg, equating to €87 per kilogram.
Advertising of spirits is banned on television before 10pm and on billboards, but beer and wine can be advertised at any time.
With thanks to Dino Landa
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).
Romania 2019
Romania does not suffer too greatly from sin taxes. There is no wine duty and the country has the lowest rate of beer duty and the third lowest rate of spirits duty in the EU. Even after adjusting for affordability, these taxes are well below the EU average. Tobacco duty is low in cash terms and about average after adjusting for income. Unfortunately, a tax on sugary drinks is on its way, but at the time of writing it is awaiting a vote from the Chamber of Deputies and is unlikely to come into force before 2020.
There is a ban on cigarette vending machines and, since March 2016, Romania has had one of Europe’s toughest bans on smoking in workplaces, including all bars and restaurants. Only airports and prisons are exempt. After protests from the public, parliament looked at amending the ban to provide designated smoking sections but this was rejected.
Vaping is not included in the smoking ban but it is banned on public transport. E-cigarettes are legal to buy, but 2016 saw the introduction of an e-cigarette tax of €0.10 per ml of fluid which has since risen to €0.11. Cross-border sales of e-cigarette fluid are banned and heat-not-burn tobacco is taxed at 383.78 RON/kg, equating to €87 per kilogram.
Advertising of spirits is banned on television before 10pm and on billboards, but beer and wine can be advertised at any time.
With thanks to Dino Landa
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