EPICENTER

October 1, 2014

The European Union and Lifestyle Freedoms

Dealing with public health challenges requires some degree of government action to protect the population from contagious diseases and pollution. Given the EU’s commitment to the free movement of people, it is appropriate that member states work together to identify and tackle communicable diseases with initiatives such as the Early Warning and Response System.
October 1, 2014

Taxation and the Digital Economy

It is widely acknowledged that Europe lags behind when it comes to digital entrepreneurship. The largest players in the digital economy are based elsewhere, primarily in the US, Japan, Israel, and even China.
October 1, 2014

Free Movement of Labour and the Future of the Welfare State

The free movement of workers across Member States is one the main historic achievements of the European integration process. Not only is such freedom important from the individual worker’s perspective, dramatically increasing the scope of potential employment opportunities. In a situation of uneven economic development, such mobility has also proven to be an important mechanism as a free-market regulator.
September 1, 2014

Towards a Robust Financial Sector – How Should Tax and Regulation Evolve?

The economic and financial crisis has affected the ability of the EU financial sector to channel funds towards the real economy. Heavy dependence on bank intermediation, combined with bank deleveraging and reduced investor confidence, has reduced funding to the economy.
June 1, 2014

Position on Expanding the Interchange Fee Regulation to Commercial Payment Cards

The measures proposed by the European Commission are not suitable for achieving a single market in card payment services. On the contrary, the measures proposed by EC would be harmful. The regulations would have the greatest negative effect on consumers, who are likely to incur relatively higher card handling fees, and to lose part of discounts or incentives.
May 1, 2014

Facts and Analysis: the Small Loans Market and Regulation in Lithuania

The small loans market (quick credit, pay-day loans) often gets a lot of criticism in the media. Its critics state that the market has too little supervision; that the industry does not properly assess the ability of customers to repay their loan; and that interest rates are artificially high.
March 1, 2014

Sin Taxes: the Examples of Alcohol and Tobacco

So‐called “sin” taxes are very much in fashion in France and elsewhere. With the aim of reducing “sinful” behaviour and financing the health care system, public authorities are planning to raise the tax load on alcohol and tobacco even higher.
March 1, 2014

LFMI Comments on European Commissions Suggestions for the Tobacco Directive

LFMI made a thorough analysis of European Commission’s proposal for the Tobacco directive (2001/37/EC), related public consultation and scientific evidence which was used in developing the proposal and provides comments and suggestions regarding the proposal.

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EPICENTER publications and contributions from our member think tanks are designed to promote the discussion of economic issues and the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. As with all EPICENTER publications, the views expressed here are those of the author and not EPICENTER or its member think tanks (which have no corporate view).

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EPICENTER publications and contributions from our member think tanks are designed to promote the discussion of economic issues and the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. As with all EPICENTER publications, the views expressed here are those of the author and not EPICENTER or its member think tanks (which have no corporate view).