Research / Book

The Politics of Acceptable Addiction

Why are some potentially harmful appetites heavily regulated while others are tolerated, encouraged, or promoted? On sugar, caffeine, ultra-processed food, and the politics of what we’re allowed to want.
Roger BateSeptember 2026
The Politics of Acceptable Addiction

Some appetites are policed; others are promoted. This book asks why societies treat sugar, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and ultra-processed food so differently — and what the inconsistencies reveal about the interests, incentives, and moral politics behind modern health regulation.

PUBLICATIONIn print
FORMATSHardback · eBook
SUBJECTMarkets and behavior
RESEARCH BASEAcceptable Addiction Project

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