Governments around the world have adopted a range of measures on alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes in response to the pandemic. While some countries have defined alcohol shops and tobacconists as essential services, others have introduced full prohibition. History shows that prohibitionists never allow a crisis to go to waste, so has the pandemic provided a vital cover and opportunity for nanny statists to push through their agenda? Are any of the new restrictions justified and are they likely to remain in place after the crisis has passed?

IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon is joined by Dr Jeffrey Miron, Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Economics at Harvard University; Dr H. Westley Clark, the Dean’s Executive Professor of Public Health at Santa Clara University; and Dr Jamie Whyte, classical liberal academic, political author and the IEA’s former Research Director.