The Competitive Enterprise Institute believes the proper role for government is to provide consumers with accurate, unbiased guidance that informs consumer choice. But, whether it is the substances we prefer, how we entertain ourselves, what dietary habits we maintain, or how we pursue personal health, consumers ought to have the right to make decisions for themselves.
Consumer Freedom Issue Areas
Featured Posts
Blog
California’s $20 fast food worker minimum wage a regressive tax
California’s new $20 an hour minimum wage for fast food restaurants has turned into a regressive tax on the state’s low-income residents. People who wanted…
Blog
FDA makes lab test power play
The Food and Drug Administration has just released its long anticipated final rule that explicitly asserts its claim of authority to regulate laboratory-developed-tests (LDTs)—tests that are designed, manufactured,…
Blog
Department of Energy is coming after our light bulbs – again
We have already said goodbye to the incandescent light bulb, thanks to federal regulations. Will its replacement be next? Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency regulations…
Search Posts
Blog
Why OLC is Unlikely to Criminalize Online Gambling
I have immense esteem for my friend Norm Singleton at the Campaign for Liberty. His lengthy Capitol Hill experience, depth of knowledge, and humor have…
Fortune
States Are Secretly Trying to Tax Your Online Purchases
States and localities currently cannot tax online purchases made from companies outside their own borders. Yet over the past two decades, state and local…
Blog
Rep. Dent Tries Again to Sneak Online Gambling Ban Through Congress
All Americans, regardless of political affiliation or their opinion on gambling, should resist attempts to bypass the democratic process.
NPR
Trump Administration Gives Industry More Time to Adopt New Nutrition Fact Label
NPR covers the FDA’s decision to delay an Obama-era menu labeling rule. The Food and Drug Administration has delayed the deadline for food…
News Release
Today’s FDA Decision on Food Labeling is the Right One
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an indefinite delay in the launch of new food labeling mandates put forward by the…
Blog
Law Enforcement Joins Coalition to End Sports Gambling Ban
The American Gaming Association (AGA) launched a new coalition with one mission: end the unconstitutional ban on legal sports betting.
Bloomberg BNA
Retailers Win, Banks Lose in Debit-Card Swipe Fee Fight
Bloomberg BNA covers the Durbin Amendment and a statement put out by CEI’s Iain Murray. An effort to repeal the caps that banks…
Blog
Laptop Bans Harm Tourism and Airlines
Banning laptop computers from airplane cabins could not only harm safety, but also the tourism industry.
Blog
Federal Trade Commission Eyes Costly New Contact Lens Rules
Despite a decent track-record when it comes to promoting an open and competitive market for eyeglasses and contact lenses, the FTC recently made a notable…
Blog
Gottlieb Tells Congress FDA Will Base E-Cig Regulations on Science
Democrats like to portray their party as the “party of science.” Yet, when it comes to harm-reducing tobacco alternatives that offer millions of smokers a…
Blog
Supreme Court Should Overturn Congress’ Sports Betting Ban
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is blatantly unconstitutional and ought to be struck down in full.
Blog
Biggest Study Yet Shows the Dangers of War on Salt
History, and consumers, will not look kindly on organizations that continue to cling to their unjustified war on salt.
Blog
Trump DOJ Nominee Unlikely to Bend to Anti-Gamblers’ Will
Steven Engel—Trump’s nominee to head this powerful office—indicated during his confirmation hearing that would not be swayed by political pressure or convenience.
Blog
How Flying Dog Brewery Fought Government Censors and Won
Jim Caruso, CEO of Flying Dog Brewery, sits down with Reason TV’s Nick Gillespie to discuss the brewing business, marketplace diversity, evolving consumer taste, and…
Blog
How FDA Commissioner Gottlieb Can Save E-Cigarettes and Lives
Now that he has triumphed over the confirmation process, Gottlieb’s real challenge—streamlining the FDA for the benefit of consumers—begins.
Washington Examiner
The Wire Act was Already Restored
In his April 24 op-ed, lobbyist Jon Bruning presented several alternative facts about our nation’s gambling laws and history. The most egregious error was…
Blog
Democrats Kill Vape Amendment, Possibly Thousands of Americans
It is a dark day for science-based regulation. In the early hours of Monday morning, Congress finally rolled out its $1 trillion budget deal in…
Townhall
Restoring Archaic Law Bad for States and Taxpayers
Townhall highlights a coalition letter led by CEI opposing a regulation on online gambling. In fact, a coalition of free market groups led…
Washington Examiner
New York Times Editorial Shoots at Big Tobacco, Hits Innocent Vapers Instead
Washington Examiner discusses the flaws of the argument that electronic cigarette flavors will attract to children with Michelle Minton. Far from seeking to…
Blog
Healthy Kids Can Coexist with Flavored E-cigarettes for Adults
Research indicates that flavored e-cigarettes help smokers switch to vaping and not go back to their deadly traditional cigarette habit.
Townhall
Sessions Should Leave Online Gaming Regulation To The States
Townhall discusses the history of the Wire Act with Michelle Minton. The Wire Act was passed before the internet existed. Its objective was…
Blog
Trump Can Fund Chemical Safety Review while Cutting EPA Budget
A recently leaked EPA memo reveals there are plenty of discretionary programs to cut.
The Hill
Republicans Of All People Should Shun Federal Online Gambling Ban
America’s governors want Congress to end a longstanding ban on internet gambling — at least, enough of them do to warrant the National Governor’s…
Blog
CEI E-Cigarette Lawsuit Takes on Activist Agencies
The battle over electronic cigarettes heats up even more this week as the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s general counsel Sam Kazman argued in court against a…
Blog
Freethink Media on the Folly of the Overpopulation Panic
Freethink Media takes a look back on the overpopulation debate of the 1960s and 1970s, and work of one exceptional human being.
American Legislative Exchange Council
Gaming – It’s a Matter of State Sovereignty
During the last Super Bowl, as many as half of the 113 million viewers made some kind of a wager on the outcome…
American Legislative Exchange Council
End the Madness by Letting States Legalize Sports Betting
With the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Men’s Basketball Championship in full swing, sports fans around the nation eagerly follow the action not just to…
Blog
Raiders’ Vegas Move Signals NFL Warming to Legal Sports Gambling
Next to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), there has been no greater opponent to legalizing sports gambling in the U.S. than the National Football…
Blog
Salt Awareness Week Perpetuates Misguided Approach to Hypertension
If we really want to help people live longer, it’s time to shelve the one-size-fits-all “salt only” approach to hypertension reduction.
Real Clear Policy
The Truth About Vaping
We can’t be trusted with the truth about e-cigarettes’ health risks — that’s what government health officials and many advocates seem to think. Almost every…
Blog
Salt, Science, and Health: FAQ
CEI consumer policy analyst Michelle Minton answers 8 questions about the effects of salt on human health.
Fox News
End the madness: Let adults bet on sports
This month, millions of Americans will participate in March Madness—friendly betting pools on the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Men’s Basketball Championship. People from diverse…
Spectator Health
Salt is not the enemy. It’s time authorities stopped demonising it
Forty years ago, the United States senate undertook the near-impossible task of reviewing all existing evidence on nutrition in order to recommend a diet for…
One News Now
Economic reality: no free lunch…or sodas either
One News Now discusses Philadelphia’s soda tax with Michelle Minton. If you ask Michelle Minton at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, everybody wants to…
Blog
Legalized Sports Betting a Sane Response to March Madness
Congress should combat fraud, blackmail, and organized crime with legalized sports betting.
Watchdog.org
Free-market group says Congress should repeal federal sports gambling ban
Watchdog.org reports on Michelle Minton’s study on the Professional and Amarteur Sports Protection Act. But as with the movement to give states the…
Politico
Trump rally rages on: Legalize Sports Betting!
Politico’s Morning Money highlights Michelle Minton’s report on the federal government’s prohibition on sports wagering. In a new paper, Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Steven…
Reason.com
The Federal Ban on Sports Betting Is Unfair, Unnecessary, and Unconstitutional
Reason.org highlights Michelle Minton and Steven Titch’s report on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. As Steven Titch and Michelle Minton note in…
Legal Sports Report
US Congress Should End Federal Sports Betting Ban, New Report Argues
Legal Sports Report highlights Michelle Minton and Steven Titch’s report on sports wagering. A report released today by a Washington D.C.-based libertarian think…
Study
Time to End the Madness around March Madness
View Full Document as PDF This March, millions of Americans will join friends, relatives, and coworkers in the annual rite of betting…
Blog
Low-Cost Private Schools a Success for Developing World Families
Education reform advocates in the United States have a lot to learn from low-cost private schools in the world's poorest communities.
Blog
“I, Whiskey” Screens at the Oxford Film Festival
Richard Morrison and Amanda France recently presented the CEI film "I, Whiskey: The Human Spirit" at the Oxford Film Festival.
Blog
New Bill Could Save Vaping Market and Millions of Lives
If we can’t fully overturn FDA’s authority to regulate vapes, the next best option would be to alter the grandfather date as the Deeming Authority…
Blog
Five Regulatory Heartbreaks on Valentine’s Day
Tomorrow we celebrate our significant other by showering them with affection and chocolate—but is government regulation getting in the way of your date night?…
Blog
Celebrate Hans Rosling’s Fact-Based Optimism about Our World
Fans of free markets and limited government were often especially disposed admire Hans Rosling, given his relentless debunking of scare stories that are often used…
Blog
The Super Bowl: Not Just for Football Fans
The Super Bowl is perennially one of the most-watched TV events around the world, so it’s no surprise that millions of people find reasons to…
US News & World Report
Take a Gamble on Sports Betting: On Super Bowl Sunday, millions of Americans will violate a silly law against gambling on professional sports
In the wake of an intensely polarizing presidential election, there’s comfort in knowing that about half of the nation, regardless of race, gender or…
Watchdog.org
Texas lawmaker wants to raise tobacco age, dent vaping in the process
Watchdog.org discusses the FDA’s regulation on electronic cigarettes with Michelle Minton. So why do government entities want to prohibit e-cigarettes? The short answer…
Blog
Scrap Proposition 65, California’s Unscientific Chemical Safety Law
California lawmakers should oppose the effort to list glyphosate as a carcinogen under the state's chemical safety and risk law, originally adopted by voters as…
Politico
Trump eyes NAFTA talks to pay for Mexico border wall: Sodium Debate Rages On
Politico’s Morning Agriculture discusses the FDA’s voluntary sodium reduction plan with Michelle Minton. As the fate of the FDA’s voluntary sodium reduction strategy…
Blog
Burns Night Cheers
Tonight, friends at home and abroad gather both for Burns Night and the International I, Whiskey Watch Party to salute the individuals— freedom fighters, innovators,…
Blog
Minimum Prices Have Consumer Benefits: Contact Lens Case Study
Allowing competing manufacturers to decide for themselves how to influence how their products are sold at retail is the best way to promote innovation and,…
Learn Liberty
5 Weird Ways Prohibition Still Exists Today
You would think that more than 80 years after the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, policymakers would have eliminated senseless restrictions on the sale of wine,…
Blog
Time to Shake up Salt-Only Approach to Hypertension
What you’ve heard about salt and hypertension may not be right. If we truly hope to conquer this disease, we must pay attention to all…
Blog
Pruitt Cool under Fire at Senate Confirmation Hearing
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Study
Shaking up the Conventional Wisdom on Salt
View Full Document as PDF The notion that if you eat too much salt you will have high blood pressure has been…
Blog
Overturning FDA’s Vape Ban Could Save Millions of Lives
If confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price could help save millions of American lives by stopping the Food and Drug Administration’s…
Blog
Tom Price Should Focus on Reversing ‘Mission Creep’ at HHS
If confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Rep. Tom Price should reverse decades of mission creep and refocus federal health agencies on their…
Blog
Crash Course in Gambling Law for Would-be Attorney General Sessions
Federal law does not ban all online gambling, despite what U.S. Attorney General-designate Jeff Sessions has suggested.
Politico
Why Powell matters: First Look- Groups Push Against Online Gambling Ban
Politico’s Morning Money reports on CEI’s coalition letter on online gambling to Vice President-Elect Mike Pence and U.S. Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. Per…
Watchdog.org
Free-market coalition urges Sessions, Pence to oppose online gambling ban
Watchdog.org reports on CEI’s coalition letter to the Vice President-elect and U.S. Attorney General nominee on an online gambling ban. Following attorney general…
Reason.com
Is Jeff Sessions Ready to Ban Internet Gambling by DOJ Fiat?
Reason.com discusses Jeff Sessions’ comments on an online gambling ban at his confirmation hearing. There is nothing at all “shocking” about that position,…
Blog
Best of the Blog 2016
Certain topics were especially popular with readers in 2016.
Blog
New Opportunities for a Free Market Veteran
After 23 years Greg Conko, who most recently served as CEI’s Executive Director, has decamped for the other side of the Potomac.
Blog
A New Year’s Toast to Whiskey
New Year’s Eve is a world-wide celebration. Across the globe, people will welcome the coming year with their own unique traditions, and the people of…
Blog
The ‘Fake News’ Problem: Health and Safety Edition
The moniker “fake news” may have entered the mainstream lexicon in 2016, but phony and misleading news stories have always been a problem—and it’s a…
Blog
Congress Should Target Unaccountable EPA Programs
The newly elected congressional majority should be ready and willing to help implement President elect-Donald Trump’s promise to tackle onerous regulations. But what about so…
Blog
TSA Deserves a Lump of Coal
The TSA’s widely unpopular body scanners lead many would-be air travelers to take to the much more dangerous highways instead, where some number of them…
Blog
Must-Have Gifts for America’s Wish List
It isn’t Christmas Day yet, much to the chagrin of impatient youngsters, but it’s already time for America to put together a wish list for…
Beverage Industry Today
Health Benefits of Alcohol Defended
Blog
Five Ways CFPB Regulations Harm the Middle Class
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was set up in 2010 to “make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as…
Daily Caller
Constitutional Stakes Are High In New Jersey’s Sports-Gambling Case
Against all odds, Americans elected Donald Trump—a casino mogul, among other things—as its 45th President. In the aftermath of this surprising election, the Supreme Court…
Investor's Business Daily
How Can You Tell A Good Trump Pick? By The Establishment Freakout
Investor's Business Daily discusses regulatory delays in the FDA drug approval process with Sam Kazman. It is true that few drugs are "safe,"…
Blog
FDA’s Sodium Plan Would Continue Four Decades of Failed Policy
Hypertension, which is chronically elevated blood pressure, effects about 70 million Americans, putting them at an increased risk for developing heart disease or having a…
Reason
FDA Salt Guidance Could Kill More People Than It Saves
Reason.com reports on CEI's comments on the Food and Drug Administration's proposed guidance for sodium in prepared foods. The free-market think tank, the…
Comment
CEI Comments to the FDA on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals
View full document as PDF The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Food and Drug Administration’s Draft…
Products
Free to Prosper: Food, Drugs and Consumer Freedom
Read the full chapter on Food, Drugs and Consumer Freedom here Few matters are as important to consumers as the foods they eat, the medicines…
Blog
The New Congress Should Repeal All Energy Efficiency Mandates
As part of its new agenda for January, Congress should repeal every energy-efficiency mandate on the books, ranging from Corporate Average Fuel Economy…
Townhall
Trump Could Fight Zika with Regulatory Reform
President-elect Donald Trump has promised that he will focus on reversing an expanding federal regulatory burden. As part of that agenda, he should address regulatory…
Blog
Supreme Court Can Save America by Taking a Gamble on Sports Betting
America is a betting nation, and last Tuesday we elected something of a wild card to be our next Commander in Chief.
Blog
RealClear Radio Hour: The Nanny State Down Under and the Robot Revolution
In this week’s episode, Topher Field discusses lifestyle regulation madness Down Under and Katherine Mangu-Ward ushers in the robot revolution.
Blog
Fight Zika with Smarter Pesticide Rules
Last month, Congressional lawmakers set aside partisan disagreements and agreed to dole out $1.1 billion to combat the spread of the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus.
Blog
Audience Reactions to “I, Whiskey”
Since releasing the new film I, Whiskey: The Human Spirit last month, we’ve had an excellent response from people around the country.
Study
Regulatory Hurdles Impede Zika Control
View Full Document as PDF Ever since the discovery that the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus can cause serious birth defects, policy makers have…
Huffington Post
Activists Wage War on Women’s Personal Care Choices
I suspect most women would agree that when you find a skin care product that works, you stick with it. But activist groups are waging…
Blog
Obamacare Increases Premiums, Reduces Employment
Health care insurance premiums will increase significantly next year as a result of the Affordable Care Act, and many consumers will be left with access…
ESPN
Future of sports betting: the pitfalls
ESPN discusses legalizing sports gambling with Michelle Minton. "The issue of sports integrity is something that always comes up," said Michelle Minton, consumer…
Blog
Self-Driving Car Developers Blast Dangerous Draft California Regulations
Today, the California Department of Motor Vehicles held a public workshop on its latest draft deployment regulations for autonomous vehicles.
Blog
FDA Taking Public Comment on Ill-Advised Sodium Reduction Plan
The Food and Drug Administration wants to help Americans lower sodium intake to reduce rates of hypertension and associated problems like heart disease, stroke, and…
Blog
RealClear Radio Hour: American Cuisine and Whiskey
This week on RealClear Radio Hour, Paul Freedman and Rick Wasmund treat us to delicious courses of American cuisine and whiskey.
Blog
WARNING: BPA Warning Labels Threaten Public Health
The state of California has extended an emergency rule that allows companies to wait until January 2017 before placing a warning on the label of…
Blog
The Inspiration Behind the New Film “I, Whiskey”
I think it can be said all films have an unexpected Genesis, an unlikely, improbable trajectory. I, Whiskey was no exception.
Investor's Business Daily
‘I, Whiskey’: Free Markets And The Human Spirit
In a political season that's seen a lot of skepticism about big business and trade, it can be good to step back and remind…
Blog
Early Reviews Are in for “I, Whiskey”
The long wait is over – CEI has released the full version of the new film I, Whiskey: The Human Spirit online.
Blog
RealClear Radio Hour: Transcending Bipartisanship, Money, and Politics
In this episode of RealClear Radio Hour, Avik Roy outlines his strategy for bipartisan health care reform and Lee Goodman laments the increasing political attacks…
Blog
Join the National “I, Whiskey” Watch Party
Please join us and other friends nationwide on October 19th for a viewing of the new short film I, Whiskey: The Human Spirit.
Cato Journal
Review of “Markets without Limits”
Are there some things that should be beyond the market, that is, which should not be permitted to be bought and sold? Jason Brennan and Peter Jaworski…
Blog
Reform of “Toxic Substance” Rules Could Increase Health Risks
Although it was not unwarranted for safety reasons (as I detailed before), TSCA reform has granted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greater power to remove…
Blog
RealClear Radio Hour: Sensible Science and Authenticity
On this week’s RealClear Radio Hour, Tracey Brown weighs risk, reward, and science, and Glenn Carroll describes authenticity’s paradox.
Blog
Senate Democrats Block Anti-Zika Bill Yet Again
Democrats in the Senate have blocked a bill that would have provided federal funds to combat the spread of the Zika virus, reports The Hill.