The Nanny State Index ranks European countries by how much they interfere in your lifestyle choices — from what you eat and drink to whether you smoke or vape. The higher the ranking, the more overbearing the rules? the lower the ranking, the freer the country. Created by the IEA’s Christopher Snowdon with the assistance of partners across Europe, it exposes the growing creep of paternalistic regulation. Since its launch in 2016, the Index has sparked widespread media attention and debate across the continent.
Many studies have shown that raising taxes on alcohol and cigarettes in a country helps reduce consumption and health risks. However, not everyone likes to be told what to do.
The Nanny Index ’25 says Lithuania is the most intrusive EU country in combating unhealthy lifestyles through taxes and bans.
Lithuania tops the list
The Baltic country is the only EU member state to ban the sale of alcohol to people under 20. Its legislation also strictly regulates sales hours, prohibiting sales before 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. on Sundays).
The country’s trade is also affected by rules restricting alcohol, with a complete ban on alcohol advertising in all forms, including imported magazines.
Like neighboring Latvia, it has also restricted energy drinks, banning their sale to those under 18 since 2015.
Smoking is no exception to the country’s strict rules.
In addition to a complete ban on advertising and sponsorship of e-cigarettes in the media, smoking is banned on all balconies and terraces of apartment buildings where at least one resident opposes smoking.
The report says that “municipalities in large cities report that few people have been fined.”
The strictest country
Turkey, the country the report describes as the “strictest” of all, is the only one to have imposed a complete ban on e-cigarettes.
“Turkey has declared war on alcohol and nicotine,” the report says.
“Electronic cigarettes and vaping products are completely banned, although a form of snuff (‘enfiye’) is legal and nicotine pouches are not explicitly banned.”
“Cigarettes must be sold in plain packaging, tobacco cannot be displayed in shops and cigarette vending machines are banned,” the report explains.
The UK with high taxes
The UK, ranked seventh overall, has the toughest stance on tobacco, with a tax of €411 per kilogram.
England has already banned cigarette vending machines since 2011, while in less than two years, the UK will ban everyone born in 2009 or later from buying tobacco. Lithuania has the highest score among EU countries.
Also, in October 2025, a ban on advertising “less healthy” foods on television before 9 p.m. and at all times online will come into effect.
Restrictions on unhealthy foods
When it comes to unhealthy foods and drinks, however, Hungary tops the list as the country with the strictest restrictions, ranking second in anti-smoking measures and third in measures discouraging the use of so-called safer nicotine.
Following the introduction of the Public Health Products Tax – also known as the “chip tax” – in 2011, it now has the most extensive taxation on food and drinks, targeting products such as pre-cooked pasta, sweets, sugary drinks, savoury snacks and condiments – on top of the standard VAT rate of 27%.
Some examples? An additional €2.04 per kilo of jam or €1.02 per kilo or litre of condiments and savoury snacks.
“A ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-18s seems likely by 2025,” the report adds.
“No paternalistic policies in Germany”
With some of the lowest taxes on beer, spirits and cigarettes, Germany, the report says, is “the best country to drink, smoke, vape and eat in the EU.”
Only three of Germany’s 16 states have a total ban on smoking in public places – Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland – while the others have restrictions based on the size of the premises, the status of the establishment and whether or not food is served.
There are no specific restrictions on food and drinks, and there is no tax on sugar.
However, there is a tax on e-liquid, which is expected to increase to €0.32 in 2026.
Nicotine pouches are also “de facto” banned because they are classified as food, and food cannot contain nicotine in Germany.
As for food and soft drinks, the authorities have started to take steps to regulate them more healthily.
In a “voluntary agreement” concluded with the government, certain companies will seek to “reformulate food products to achieve a reduction in sugar consumption of at least 10%.”
