Freedoms in Britain declining at a faster rate than almost anywhere in Europe as UK jumps up the rankings in 'nanny state' league... with Germany last in 29-nation table
Britain has moved four spots to become the seventh worst place in the continent to eat, drink, smoke and vape, according to the analysis.
Germany, Luxembourg and Italy were deemed the most liberal – while Turkey, Lithuania and Finland top the table for nannying.
The index, published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the European Policy Information Centre (EPICENTER), scores countries on how they regulate lifestyle choices. Britain climbed the rankings due to high tobacco duty, the tax on sugary drinks and the indoor smoking ban. It has the 'worst score for tobacco in the index'.
Other measures that count against it include alcohol duty, plain packaging rules for tobacco products, and new restrictions on product placement for 'less healthy' foods.
The IEA warns Britain could climb even higher when the next index is published in 2027 due to the forthcoming junk food ad ban and tougher vaping rules.
From next month, it will be illegal for businesses to sell single-use or 'disposable' vapes – whether or not they contain nicotine. And from October, adverts for 'less healthy' food and drink will be banned before the watershed on TV, along with a total ban on paid-for online ads for junk food.
Legislation is also making its way through Parliament which will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1, 2009.
The report states there is 'no correlation whatsoever between Nanny State Index scores and life expectancy' nor lower smoking rates or reduced alcohol consumption.
But it argued that 'sin taxes' raise the cost of living and 'hurt the poor'.
Christopher Snowdon, report author and head of lifestyle economics at the IEA, said: 'The UK is sinking ever deeper into the quicksand of heavy-handed government paternalism. The idea that adults should be free to choose is fading away and there will be politicians who see the UK's position on the Nanny State Index as a badge of pride rather than a mark of shame.
'As in other areas of the economy, high taxes and draconian regulation are impoverishing us all and benefiting nobody.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'The British public wants bold action to tackle the root causes of ill health, but for too long there has been an unwillingness to lead on issues like smoking, obesity and alcohol harm – we are turning the tide.'
He added: 'We are shifting the focus from sickness to prevention to save taxpayers' money through our ambitious 10 Year Health Plan.'
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