Media

The Bulgarian news outlet “On Air Bulgaria” recently reported on the findings of the 2023 Nanny State Index. The article focuses on the growing tendency of European governments to introduce paternalistic policies that regulate people’s lifestyles, sometimes at the cost of personal freedoms. Furthermore, the article explores Bulgaria’s specific rankings and outcomes in the index.

Italy is recognized as one of the most tolerant countries in Europe when it comes to lifestyle regulations. This article elaborates on the reasons behind Italy’s favourable position in the 2023 Nanny State Index, where it ranks twenty-eighth out of thirty countries.

The editor of the 2023 Nanny State Index, Christopher Snowdon, authored an article in The Spectator discussing the United Kingdom’s ranking in the Index. In addition to discussing Britain’s dispiriting performance, Chris elaborated on the anticipated increase in the number of paternalistic policies in the near future.

The 2023 Nanny State Index was featured in Politico’s London Playbook. The section highlighted that Britain has the strictest regulations on tobacco and the second most stringent controls on food and drink among European countries.

In their article, Dnevik focused on the contribution of EPICENTER partner, the Institute for Market Economy, to the Nanny State Index. The article praised Bulgaria for its position near the freer end of the Index and presented the key findings from the report. It also analysed the reasons behind the increasing trend of paternalistic policies across Europe.

The Daily Telegraph featured the main findings of the 2023 Nanny State Index and provided a comprehensive breakdown of Britain’s extensive range of paternalistic measures. The article compared Britain’s regulations in lifestyle matters to those of other European countries. It also highlighted EPICENTER’s findings, which suggest that such measures do not contribute to healthier and longer-living societies.

In Liberal Market, the individual score of Greece and the pan-European analysis from the 2023 Nanny State Index were presented. The article provided an explanation as to why Greece improved its ranking by seven positions to 18th compared to the previous edition. It also highlighted the persistent restrictions in Greece regarding alcohol, food, soft drinks, tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

In the Times, analysis from the 2023 Nanny State Index featured as part of a review of Britain’s increasingly strict e-cigarette rules and legislations. The article illustrated how nanny statist policymaking efforts, designed to disincentivise individuals from using e-cigarettes, have made reduced harm alternatives to cigarettes less attractive to smokers.

Martin Pánek, director of EPICENTER partner think tank the Liberal Institute, was interviewed on Czechia’s Radio Zet. He discussed how interest rate hikes had led to the fall of some Czech banks but emphasised that the banking sector as a whole was protected from collapse.