Conceptions of Freedom in the Regulation of Junk Food and Tobacco

Abstract

This paper examines the regulatory disparities between the junk food and tobacco industries in the UK, focusing on the underlying conceptions of freedom that shape public policy. While both industries contribute significantly to public health challenges, tobacco is subject to far stricter regulations. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates within the House of Commons, the paper explores the application of positive and negative freedom in discussions of junk food and tobacco. I find that the presence of addiction in tobacco discourse is used to apply a positive conception of freedom, leading to more stringent regulations. Conversely, junk food discussions emphasise individual choice, aligning with a negative conception of freedom and resulting in softer regulatory approaches. This paper argues that these differing narratives on freedom contribute to the observed regulatory differences and suggests that emphasising the addictive nature of junk food could shift regulatory perspectives.