To what extent does EU law dictate UK life? Go find the nearest Brexiter and they'll probably say 'too fucking much' while a Remainer might say 'hardly at all. Fucking get over it'.
As of 2016, at a time where it'd be pretty helpful to know the exact percent of UK laws made in Brussels, there still isn't one.
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According to FullFact, it could be anything from 15 to 50%.
What we do know, however, is what some of those laws actually are.
Here's what we found.
LIVING ABROAD IN THE EU
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Obviously, the EU allows any EU citizen to live and work freely in any other member state. If you're old, it's possible to retire abroad and still receive your pension.
Brits abroad/lads-on-tour can also get emergency healthcare while ripping it up in another EU country. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) gives you access to cheaper health costs, or sometimes even free medical treatment, anywhere in the EU.
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STUDYING IN THE EU
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One of the EU's most popular programmes is Erasmus, the European Regional Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. Introduced in 1987, it greases the wheels for the Spanish, Italian, French, et al, students coming over to the UK to study and experience what it's like to binge drink on a Tuesday night.
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SHOPPING IN THE EU
OK, so travelling to the Continent to buy clothes would be a ridiculous notion to anyone who isn't either on Made In Chelsea or a really stellar bank robber.
EU citizens can shop in any other EU country without having to pay extra tax, so long as you're shopping for personal use.
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FREEDOM AND SECURITY IN THE EU
"Woah! We're going to Ibiza! And it's easier because of the EU!" Credit: Getty
The Remain camp have given the Americans a run for their money in the lead up to this referendum when it comes to banging on about freedoms. But how right are they?
The EU has made it easier for UK coppers to cooperate with other national police so that fair treatment in different judicial systems around the EU exists for all EU citizens.
There's also the European Arrest Warrant, which means you can be arrested anywhere across the EU for more severe crimes and transferred for trial, or detention, in any other EU country. The EAW is designed to speed-up extradition of criminals. The handover of an individual to another EU member state now takes on average only between 13 and 43 days.
THE LIST OF WARNINGS ON FOOD PRODUCTS
Forget immigration, let's focus for a second on what the EU influences in terms of food packaging.
Directive 2000/13/EC governs the rules for food packaging to be delivered to consumers across the UK and the EU. It states that all ingredients in foods, including booze, must be listed on the label and that the label must clearly warn of any allergens.
I suppose the EU stopping you from dying from eating nuts is a pro.
OTHER WARNINGS ON CIG PACKETS
A woman enjoying a cigarette in the sun. Credit: Getty
It cannot be confirmed whether or not the EU figured out the dangers of inhaling smoke into your lungs, but they definitely spearheaded the message on tobacco packaging.
The warnings were introduced by the the Government in 2003, in order to enact the EU Tobacco Products Directive, which incorporated written health warnings like 'Smoking seriously damages your health', decorated with pictures of really horrible dental jobs.
The Directive orders cig packets to have two compulsory warnings: one being a general warning which must cover no less than 30% of the external area of one side of the pack, the second being an additional warning which must cover no less than 40% on another side of the packet.
However, the Directive forgets, or refuses, to write 'Smoking seriously impresses the chicks and makes you cool' - so where should we stand?
On one hand, the EU is trying to steer us from bad habits but on the other, it fails to acknowledge the importance of looking like James-fricking-Dean.
CAR BOOSTER SEATS FOR KIDS
Safety first! Credit: Getty
This is arguably the most vital law the EU has implemented in the UK.
Since September 2006, the EU Directive 2003/20/EC states that kids up to the height of 135cm or those who are under 12 years of age must be buckled down by a booster seat when travelling in a car. If not, drivers can be fined up to £500 for their breach of this Directive.
Case closed, guys!
Only joking. Mate, you can vote whatever you want. I'm not gonna advise you which way to vote, but don't let them decide for you.
Don't let them decide for you, make your voice heard.
Words by Josh Teal
Featured Image Credit:Topics: EU