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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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.
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Congress investigates the FDA’s chaotic tobacco policy
Research has shown e-cigarettes to be substantially safer than combustible cigarettes and more effective than nicotine replacement therapies at helping smokers quit smoking.
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New York’s legislature should stand firm against Gov. Hochul’s tobacco prohibition
A similar flavored tobacco ban in Massachusetts has been an epic failure.
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Continuum of risk for tobacco and nicotine products
The Food and Drug Administration recognizes a continuum of risks for nicotine products, with cigarettes being the most dangerous.
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Why New Mexico House Bill 547’s tax increases undermine public health
The taxes in the bill would hurt efforts to reduce the smoking of traditional cigarettes and disproportionately harm low-income families.
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New York shouldn’t ban flavored tobacco products
Advocates claim that menthol cigarettes are more addictive, easier for kids to start using, and harder for smokers to quit. But none of these claims are true.
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Tobacco harm reduction should be on Congress’ agenda
"We do know that e-cigarettes — as a general class — have markedly less risk than a combustible cigarette product," admitted FDA's tobacco chief, Brian King.
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FDA needs a new approach to e-cigarettes and other safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes
Reagan-Udall report calls for FDA to "identify and address the policy and scientific questions that underpin its regulatory framework" and invest in "more substantial engagement with stakeholders and the public."
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California Proposition 31 (2022): Banning flavored tobacco products
California's voters will determine if the state will ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers.
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Colorado Initiative 122 (2022): Third-party delivery of alcohol beverages
Colorado initiative 122 would allow businesses licensed to sell alcohol to use third-party home delivery services for alcohol beverages.
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Colorado Initiative 121 (2022): Sales of wine in grocery stores
Colorado initiative 121 would allow grocery stores and other businesses that are licensed to sell beer to also sell wine.
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Colorado Initiative 96 (2022): Concerning liquor licenses
Colorado Initiative 96 would incrementally raise the number of retail liquor store licenses an individual may hold.
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The potential consequences of New Zealand’s plan to be smoke-free
New Zealand should inform cigarette smokers about the potential health benefits of switching to safer alternatives and ensure greater Māori access to smoking cessation services.
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Public Comment: Menthol prohibition would come with negative consequences
Prohibition will result in increased tobacco smuggling and more frequent interactions between law enforcement and minority communities.
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FDA’s Juul ban threatens harm reduction progress
E-cigarettes aren’t just safer than combustible cigarettes, they’re more effective in helping smokers quit than FDA-approved therapies like nicotine gum and patches.
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The FDA’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes is based on faulty claims
None of the FDA's claims about the proposed menthol ban hold up.
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Frequently asked questions about the FDA’s ban on menthol cigarettes
Here are some of the common questions about banning menthol cigarettes, the supposed evidence in support of a menthol cigarette ban, and a ban's possible consequences on public health and minority communities.
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Rather than banning menthols, FDA should embrace harm reduction
The FDA and the Biden administration should apply the harm reduction model to tobacco policy.
