The ‘nanny state’ has expanded in recent years. Politicians and bureaucrats have increasingly sought to restrict what individuals are permitted … Continue reading “John Meadowcroft – Prohibitions”

It is not always necessary to contradict politicians; it is often better to wait until they contradict themselves. A case in … Continue reading “Public health and the strange double life of advertising”

Sir Liam Donaldson’s proposal for a minimum price per unit of alcohol is a novel addition to the long list … Continue reading “Thinking about drinking”

Last week the government chose to ignore its own advisors and decided not to downgrade ecstasy to a “class B” … Continue reading “The drug laws don’t work, they just make things worse”

One of the justifications for government intervention in the market is the presence of ‘external effects’ or ‘externalities’ which occur … Continue reading “Change4Life, sales bans and “sin taxes”: when the arsonist screams “fire!””

The last century has seen a steady expansion of the ‘nanny state’, a process that has arguably accelerated in the … Continue reading “The case for lifting prohibitions”

Responding to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)’s recommendation that a minimum price be introduced for alcohol, Mark Littlewood, … Continue reading “Preposterous to suggest minimum pricing for alcohol”

Despite UK display ban advocates’ repeated assertions, the empirical evidence does not demonstrate that tobacco display bans have reduced smoking … Continue reading “Canada’s ruinous tobacco display ban: economic and public health lessons”

The ‘nanny state’ has expanded in recent years. Politicians and bureaucrats have increasingly sought to restrict what individuals are permitted … Continue reading “Prohibitions”