Guy Bentley
Director of Consumer Freedom , Reason Foundation
Guy Bentley is the Director of Consumer Freedom at Reason Foundation.
Bentley's research focuses on the taxation and regulation of nicotine, tobacco, alcohol, and food. Before joining Reason Foundation, Bentley served as a reporter in London and Washington D.C.
Bentley's work has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, Time, Business Insider, The Daily Beast, The New York Post, and other publications in the U.S. and U.K.
Bentley graduated with a bachelor's degree in politics and international relations from the University of Nottingham and is based in Washington D.C.
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The youth ‘vaping epidemic’ is over
The number of kids using e-cigarettes has fallen to a 10-year low, according to the federal 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
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Congress spotlights the FDA’s “Kafkaesque” vaping regulation
Members of Congress vented frustration at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the chaotic U.S. vape market at a Senate Judiciary hearing.
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The World Health Organization risks credibility with inaccurate attacks on vaping
This year, World No Tobacco Day ignites discussion about whether the WHO is promoting incorrect or misleading information.
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Rhode Island Gov. McKee’s proposed e-cigarette tax is a bad approach to public health
The proposed 80 percent tax on e-cigarettes could deter smokers from switching to safer alternatives.
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Biden administration should reject the proposed menthol ban
President Biden should take a careful look at data that suggests such a prohibition would not make a substantial impact on youth smoking rates or public health.
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A flavored cigar ban could cost 16,000 jobs, industry report finds
A ban on flavored cigars could have significant economic consequences while doing little to reduce youth smoking.
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Study: Menthol cigarettes do not increase youth smoking more than other cigarettes
This study concludes that menthol cigarette availability does not pose a greater threat to public health than regular cigarette availability.
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Flavored products play an important role in tobacco harm reduction
Most smokers who switch to safer nicotine alternatives use flavored products.
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Massachusetts’ proposed cigar tax increase would not improve health outcomes
S.1848 should raise concern that the state will enlarge the already substantial illicit tobacco trade, push sales and tax revenue to other jurisdictions, and punish premium cigar stores and lounges that have almost no appeal to youth.
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How Utah can reduce smoking-related deaths
Reforming Utah's unnecessary and outdated nicotine cap would save lives and accelerate the demise of traditional cigarettes.
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State tobacco and nicotine preemption and public health promotion
To maximize the benefits to public health, state legislators should preemptively reserve their state’s right to regulate nicotine products.
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Taxes on tobacco alternatives undermine harm reduction efforts
To maximize the benefits to public health and advance the economic well-being of consumers, taxes on safer nicotine products should be kept lower than those of combustible cigarettes.
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Unintended consequences of proposed menthol prohibition
With adult and youth smoking reaching generational lows and still falling, there is little reason to use the blunt force of prohibition to reduce smoking rates.
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New Jersey’s S299 would bring the consequences of tobacco prohibition
Instead of prohibition, New Jersey can further reduce its already low smoking rate by implementing a strategy of tobacco harm reduction.
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Modern oral nicotine and tobacco harm reduction
Oral nicotine or nicotine pouches have gained increasing popularity among smokers wishing to switch to a safer form of nicotine.
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New York Gov. Hochul should learn from failed tobacco bans
The governor appears to be testing support for a complete ban on all tobacco products.
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Congress must hold CDC accountable for its vaping missteps
In 2019, bad information from the CDC about vaping deaths caused by illegal products reduced e-cigarette demand by about 30 percent and worsened public health.
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Maine’s proposed ban of flavored tobacco products would have unintended consequences
The proposed ban on flavored e-cigarettes carries potential negative consequences for the health of Maine’s citizens, and it may also hurt the state’s economy.
