The US Department of Agriculture has issued dietary recommendations for more than a century, and during that period the health, longevity, and nutritional status of Americans improved markedly. Before the release of the first Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) in 1980, the recommendations...

There is no question that the prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years. Researchers and policymakers typically assume its reduction is desirable without addressing the more fundamental issue of its optimal level. We argue that optimal obesity levels have...

The United Kingdom has recently enacted smoking bans in public places such as restaurants and pubs. Public health advocates argue that bans are necessary because non-smokers need protection from second-hand smoke. Advocates also claim that bans do not exert harm on owners because of a vast...

The rising prevalence of obesity in the United States has led to consideration — and even adoption — of public policies intended to shape Americans’ food choices. This article examines and criticizes these paternalistic policies. It describes the growing use of behavioral economics to...

"The United Kingdom has recently enacted smoking bans in public places such as restaurants and pubs. Public health advocates argue that bans are necessary because non-smokers need protection from second-hand smoke. Advocates also claim that bans do not exert harm on owners because of a vast...

Proponents of smoking bans frequently claim that the bans do not have detrimental economic effects on businesses in the hospitality industry. In making this claim, the proponents typically cite aggregate hospitality industry data indicating there is little change in gross receipts or tax...