Ireland among EU’s most regulated ‘nanny states’

Ireland is the fourth most regulated ‘nanny state’ in the EU, according to a new report that ranks countries by their policies on eating, smoking, and drinking.

The index, published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free market think tank, includes any policy that is designed to deter consumption of legal products.

It says Ireland’s policies on alcohol are the third strictest in the EU, and its regulations on smoking is second only to the UK in terms of its deterrence level.

Assessments were based on the taxation, advertising restrictions, bans, and other regulations each state imposes.

Christopher Snowdon, head of Lifestyle Economics at the IEA, claims tighter regulations on smoking, eating, and drinking, do not result in a healthier public.

“Most of the taxes, laws, and regulations covered in the Nanny State Index were introduced on the grounds of public health. To see whether they work we have compared NSI scores with health outcomes,” he said.

“The big picture is that there is no correlation between nanny state regulation and higher life expectancy,” Mr Snowdon said.

Finland and Sweden top the index, followed by the UK, Ireland, and Hungary. The Czech Republic was the lowest ranking, followed by Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

However, while the IEA has questioned the benefits of regulations on tobacco products, the think tank was at the centre of controversy in 2013 when it was revealed that it received thousands of pounds in donations from tobacco companies.

Philip Morris International confirmed it is “a member of the Institute of Economic Affairs”, while British American Tobacco told The Guardian it gave the IEA £30,000 in 2011 and 2012, and a further £1,000 in event sponsorship. In a letter to UK anti-smoking group ASH, British American Tobacco said it donated a further £40,000 in 2013.