INESS, featured in Euractiv, warns that EU efforts to curb smoking with higher tobacco taxes are driving a record illegal trade in 2024, as smokers turn to cheaper illicit options. Their analysis, alongside KPMG, notes Slovakia’s rise from 25th to 17th in the 2024 Nanny State Index due to new taxes on sweetened drinks, vaping, and tobacco, with little impact on quitting rates.

The Bruno Leoni Institute (IBL), in a new editorial, criticizes Italy’s postponed sugar and plastic taxes as harmful with doubtful benefits, impacting Made in Italy sectors with negligible revenue. IBL’s Alberto Mingardi argues the sugar tax unfairly burdens families (drinks are just 0.9% of daily calories) and Europe’s uniform cigarette tax ignores Sweden’s successful alternative approach, achieving a smoke-free 2025. The IBL, with Epicenter, relaunches the Nanny State Index, advocating education over taxation.

KEFIM, featured in Iefimerida, proposes a tax framework with lower rates for alternative tobacco products like e-cigarettes, which have 80-90% fewer harmful substances than cigarettes. Panagiotis Liargovas and Nikos Rompapas argue this could reduce smoking-related deaths, citing WHO’s 8 million annual figure, and encourage safer habits.

EPICENTER’s 2025 Nanny State Index, featured in Poradnik Zdrowie, ranks Poland 8th out of 29 countries for strict lifestyle regulations, up from 15th in 2016. Key factors include the 2024 energy drink ban for minors and high sugar taxes, with Gabriel Hawryluk of the Civic Development Forum noting limited health benefits despite restrictions.

Cécile Philippe of the Institut Economique Molinari, featured in Les Echos, argues that the rise in French work stoppages is misunderstood, not a sign of laziness. She critiques the overreliance on taxes and bans in public health policy, including sickness benefits.

Lachezar Bogdanov of the Institute for Market Economics, featured on NovaTV, notes Bulgaria’s prices are 60% of the EU average, with food costs like milk and dairy rising 9% faster due to income growth and imports. Convergence slowed to 0.5% in 2024.

Radovan Ďurana of INESS, featured on HNtelevision, critiques Slovakia’s 14 holidays, suggesting a reduction to boost tax revenue and cut the deficit, citing France’s 11 and Germany’s 9. He also questions the transaction tax and second pillar reopening, calling excessive holidays a social luxury.

INESS, featured in Pluska, reports Slovakia’s rank in the 2025 Fostering State Index fell from 24th to 17th due to new taxes and bans on sugary drinks and cigarettes, which Radovan Ďurana calls a paternalistic overreach. Critics argue it prioritizes budget gains over health, with liberal Czech Republic contrasting strict Turkey and Finland.

EPICENTER’s 2025 Nanny State Index, featured in Sud Info, labels Belgium as Europe’s most lenient on alcohol consumption laws, yet strict on tobacco and vaping regulations, reflecting a mixed regulatory approach.