Nanny-state policies are touching almost every area of British life, analysis shows.
The UK has the most restrictive tobacco regulations, the second toughest food and drink rules and some of the highest alcohol taxes in Europe, says a report.
We have been placed 11th in the Nanny State Index, up one spot since the last audit in 2021.
Chris Snowdon, who compiled the rankings for the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said: “With the UK introducing some of the world’s most nannying policies on food, it’s no surprise to see it rising up the league table against stiff competition.
“The UK scores poorly in every category except e-cigarettes where it is the best in show.
“Scotland and Wales drag down the overall score by having minimum pricing for alcohol, and the UK as a whole is the worst place in Europe to be a smoker. With alcohol taxes rising sharply this year and more food regulation to come, things will get worse.”
The 2023 Nanny State Index, published today by the IEA and the European Policy Information Centre, gives each European country a score out of 100 on the basis of how it regulates private lifestyle choices.
The UK demands plain packaging for tobacco and smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces is banned. We have a tax on sugary drinks as well as food marketing restrictions.
The UK also has the highest booze taxes in Europe while Scotland has minimum pricing and bans on off-trade alcohol discounts.
Turkey was in top spot in the ranking followed by Norway and Lithuania. Germany got the lowest score, making it the most liberal country in Europe, followed by the Czech Republic and Italy.
The rankings come as both the Tories and Labour plan further nanny- state measures including banning “buy two, get one free” offers, extending restrictions on food advertising and expanding the so-called sugar tax.
The UK is helped in the index by having among the least restrictive controls on the sale of e-cigarettes in Europe. Alcohol duties have also fallen in real terms after being frozen for several years, although there is a large tax hike in August.
The report finds no link between stricter drinking, eating, smoking, and vaping regulations and higher life expectancy.
Ministers want people to enjoy freedoms – but obesity rates are soaring.
Daily Express columnist and top oncologist Karol Sikora said officials should not tell us what we should eat.He said: “We’re all big enough and ugly enough to make those decisions for ourselves.”
Professor Sikora urged people to get into shape but added: “We need to give people, and especially children, the information and the tools to make their own minds up.”
