state of smoking in Germany

This page was last edited on: June 30, 2022 at 11:50am

There are 17.5 million smokers in Germany.
Rates of tobacco smoking in Germany are significantly higher compared to other European nations. It is reported that more than one in four Germans over the age of 14 are current smokers.
Germany is the second largest market for illicit tobacco trade among the 27 E.U. member states. In 2020, it was estimated that 200 million illicit cigarettes were consumed.
Tobacco use is marginally higher among men (29.9%) versus women (23%), with greater prevalence among middle-aged Germans and low-income households.

In 2019 there were nearly 150,000 tobacco-attributable deaths in Germany.
Tobacco use is a leading risk factor for oncological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases in Germany. Smoking is responsible for 61.4% of all lung cancer cases in Germany.
It is estimated that the costs of treating diseases linked to smoking amounts to approximately €7.5 billion (USD 9.96 billion) annually.

Germany became a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2005.
Germany scored the lowest on the 2019 Tobacco Control Scale of EU countries. For example, Germany is the only country in the EU that continues to allow tobacco advertising on billboards.
In terms of WHO’s MPOWER measures, Germany is considered to have ‘completed’ implementing targets for monitoring tobacco use, health warnings and mass media and performed ‘moderately’ on cessation programs, advertising bans and taxation.
Total tax on cigarettes have doubled between 1997 and 2020. Additionally, In 2021, Germany introduced tax on e-cigarettes and heatless tobacco products.
However, in comparison with other European countries, cigarettes remain relatively inexpensive, making them easily accessible.
There are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco harm reduction products such as e-cigarettes aside from age restrictions (only for those aged 18 and above can use such products).
E-cigarettes and other vaping products are available across Germany.

Tobacco production comprises only a small fraction of agriculture in Germany, with only 0.01% of its agricultural land devoted to tobacco cultivation. In 2017, Germany produced 6,218 tons of tobacco, compared to its peak of 11,625 tons in 2003.
However, Germany is one of the world’s top exporter of cigarettes.
There has been a sharp decline in the area and the volume of tobacco harvested in Germany, as a direct result of an end of tobacco subsidies that were paid by the European Union till 2010. The total area dedicated to tobacco cultivation has declined from 4,576 ha in 2000 to 1,500 ha in 2020.
German farmers have gradually abandoned the cultivation of tobacco and have transitioned to the cultivation of alternative crops such as herbs (parsley, dill, coriander, chervil, spring onion) or vegetables.

As research findings become available that are inclusive of additional gender identities, the Foundation will update the information presented.