State of Smoking in Germany | Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

state of smoking in Germany

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

smoking rate

TOBACCO USE RATE

TOBACCO USE AND TRENDS

HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BURDEN FROM TOBACCO USE

  • 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.

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

  • 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 AND DIVERSIFICATION

infographic about germany's smoking statistics

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

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