Join our live discussion on health and the law

By M.J.

EATING too much, exercising too little, smoking cigarettes—these are voluntary behaviours that lead to poor health and high health costs. Should individuals be free to make as many unhealthy choices as they like, without any meddling from the state? Or should the government guide its citizens to healthier behaviour? Companies have a responsibility to their shareholders to drive up sales, but when their products are unhealthy should they be expected to limit their marketing?

Charlotte Howard is

The Economist

's Health care correspondent. Thomas Farley is the Health Commissioner of New York City, where officials would like to ban the sales of large sugary drinks. On Thursday June 13th Ms Howard and Dr Farley will be discussing these issues and answering readers' questions via webcam, using the Hangouts feature of Google+. The discussion will take place at 12:30pm in New York and 5:30pm in London. Readers may watch the conversation on this page.