For many years, smokers and drinkers have regularly had the level of taxation raised on their favourite 'bad habits'. But while in the past this was mostly because chancellors found tobacco and alcohol to be easy targets to raise a bit of extra cash, in recent years there has been greater emphasis on using taxation to reduce consumption in the name of public health. Now, there is serious discussion of extending this principle both to new kinds of health concerns - with proposed taxes on sugary drinks and fatty foods - and in new ways - through imposing a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
At this event, our panel will examine such 'sin taxes' in relation to food, drink and smoking. Will charging people more really change their consumption habits? What will be the effect on the nation's health? Should those who indulge in 'bad habits' - even moderately - be penalised in this way? Should the government even be attempting to modify our personal choices?
Parliamentary sponsor
Other speakers
Christopher Snowdon, author of The Art of Suppression: Pleasure, Panic and Prohibition since 1800 and The Wages of Sin Taxes.
Rob Lyons, deputy editor of spiked and author of Panic on a Plate: How Society Developed an Eating Disorder.
Kristian Niemietz, poverty research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs and author of A New Understanding of Poverty.
Date and time
Monday 4 March, 5pm for a 5.30pm start.
Venue
Macmillan Room, Portcullis House, London, SW1A 2LW
If you would like to attend, you need to RSVP in advance to ensure you are on the guest list. Please email to reserve a place:
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