Time to Let Consumers Wage Their Own War – With Discounts!
In a surprising twist, a fresh report from the Institute of Economic Affairs says it’s high time consumer groups start offering sweet perks to rally the everyday shopper against the relentless “nanny state” built by public‑health crusaders.
Why Calisthenic Cash‑Back Is Celestial for Conventional Consumers
The Master Plan? Hand retailers the favorite club‑card ritual—and get the “clubs” to extend spicy deals to their members. Think about it: a Vapers’ Association negotiating a 10–20% discount on e‑cigarettes would mean a lifetime of saved pounds for each member. That pot of dough flips back into membership fees, buying a modest, full‑time team to keep the group humming and lean into lobbying.
From Save‑The‑Game, to Save‑Your-Own‑Wallet
- Discounts—the proudest of all perks. A little while after the Tobacco and Vapes Bill makes purchasing a bit more expensive, a discount practically beams a “you’re welcome” back at the consumer.
- Exclusive Events—bar hop tournaments, or the friends-of-“you”-free beer festivals, echo the CAMRA style but for a different product pal.
- Perks Row‑Down—like real‑ale vouchers, this can assay to a lager‑loving union that is no other than an effective bulwark against anti‑liability laws.
How the Paternalists Keep Spinning Their Wheels
Pro‑public‑health activists have long waged war on everything from sugary drinks to fast‑food parts, funding outlandish bans and taxes. Their arguments usually frame the debate as “industry” versus “public,” but the problem is that small, united groups-within-the‑industry often outshine the scatter‑shot slant of ordinary consumers. Far from pushing the product that people actually want, they redirect the narrative to generalized safety.
Putting the “Fun” Back in Policy
Snowdon’s residency as Head of Lifestyle Economics champions a new movement: something he calls “The People Vs. Paternalism.” The gist? Keep your group and your discounts focused, keep your politics as a wallflower, and keep industry from handling your affairs. Instead of letting manufacturers hand you a thin new pamphlet of “policy,” let them hand you a discount voucher, and you make the game.
One key thing: age safe‑guarding. Consent is more needed than a new bill—set a line against under‑age use, keep the fund tight, but keep the good time coming.
With £50 a year fees for a 10,000‑member club, you get £500,000—enough to pay a woman (or a man even) to manage the group, and dramatically increase the circle of influence you might claim on policy. A Gambling Society or a Drinkers Union is basically this, swapping the civic tone across the many arenas.
Snowdon spells it out at the end of his essay: “Just give folks a reason to join. A discount or a perk, that an average Larry might actually use, will lure the voice of the community into a standing committee that will fight for them.”
