In Germany, smoking is widespread and is subject to very few and lax regulations compared to other countries in Europe.[1][2][3] Tobacco taxes in Germany are among the lowest in Europe.[4] Germany ranks last on the Tobacco Control Scale[5] and has sometimes been referred to as the "smoker's paradise" of Europe.[6][5] According to German addiction researcher Heino Stöver, Germany has "[...] more cigarette vending machines than any other country in the world."[7]
Under federal law, the manufacture, import, distribution, and advertisement of tobacco is regulated whilst the 16 federal states of Germany each have their own legislation regarding smoking in public places,[8] which range from relatively weak regulations to full smoking bans in all licensed premises, childcare facilities, schools and governmental institutions.
As of July 2016, nearly 40% of the German population live in a state which bans smoking in all restaurants, pubs, cafés and nightclubs (Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland). The other 13 states permit smoking in designated rooms or in bars with a floor area of less than 75 square meters.
According to a 2013 micro-census survey, 24.5% of the German population aged fifteen years and over are smokers (29% of men, 20% of women).[9] Among the 18–25 age group, 35.2% are smokers.[10]
In 2005, 27% of the population admitted to being current smokers. 23% were daily smokers (28% of men and 19% of women,) while 4% smoked occasionally. The highest ratio of daily smokers was in the 20-24 age group: 38% of men and 30% of women.[11] According to a 2010 study by University of Bielefeld, 9.9% of all 15-year-old males and 10.8% of 15-year-old females smoked daily, which showed a strong decline during the previous decade.[12]
As in other industrial countries the prevalence of smoking in Germany is lower among people with higher education levels.
A 2006 a comparative study found that 25.1% of male and 20.6% of female medical students in Göttingen smoked, while in London the percentages were only 10.9% and 9.1%.[13]
Germany had the largest number of cigarette vending machines per capita in the world: 1 per 102.5 people.[14]
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According to a 2013 microcensus, about one in four (24.5%) people aged 15 years and over was a smoker, 20.9% regularly, and only 3.6 occasionally. The rate of ex-smokers was 19.3%.[15] The average age at which smokers begin is 17.8 years of age (in the age group of 15- to 20-year-olds the average age is 15.4 years)[citation needed]
| Age (y) | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 15–20 | 19.9% | 15.0% |
| 20–25 | 39.9% | 32.8% |
| 25–30 | 44.3% | 32.2% |
| 30–35 | 42.5% | 28.3% |
| 35–40 | 39.0% | 27.9% |
| 40–45 | 38.3% | 30.3% |
| 45–50 | 38.9% | 31.1% |
| 50–55 | 36.7% | 28.3% |
| 55–60 | 30.7% | 22.2% |
| 60–65 | 24.9% | 16.8% |
| 65–70 | 17.0% | 11.0% |
| 70–75 | 12.5% | 6.7% |
| over 75 | 8.0% | 3.6% |
In 2010, an average of 229 million cigarettes were smoked every day, corresponding to 1,021 cigarettes per capita.
| Smoking behaviour | Women, 18 to 29 | Women, 30 to 44 | Women, 45 to 64 | Women, 65 and older | Women, total | Men, 18 to 29 | Men, 30 to 44 | Men, 45 to 64 | Men, 65 and older | Men, total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily smokers | 33.6% | 29.3% | 22.0% | 5.1% | 21.9% | 39.3% | 36.0% | 26.1% | 11.8% | 29.2% |
| Occasional smokers | 11.0% | 7.4% | 5.3% | 2.4% | 6.1% | 14.4% | 8.3% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 8.1% |
| Ex-smokers | 14.6% | 24.1% | 25.5% | 21.2% | 22.3% | 14.7% | 23.9% | 38.2% | 52.1% | 31.8% |
| Never smoked | 40.8% | 39.2% | 47.2% | 71.3% | 49.7% | 31.5% | 31.8% | 28.8% | 32.4% | 30.9% |
Amount of smoked cigarettes per day by age per Sozio-oekonomische Panel (SOEP) .
| Cigarettes | Percentage, 2006[17] | Percentage, 2012[18] |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | 7% | 14,7% |
| 5–9 | 14% | 26.5 |
| 10–14 | 22% | 19.8% |
| 15–19 | 18% | 26.5% |
| 20–24 | 24% | 5.6% |
| 25–29 | 5% | 4.4% |
| 30–34 | 5% | 2,6% |
| 35–39 | 1% | DNA |
| 40 and more | 4% | DNA |
.png)
Average amount of cigarettes smoked daily, by year.[19]
| Year | Cigarettes in million |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 401 |
| 1992 | 359 |
| 1993 | 351 |
| 1994 | 367 |
| 1995 | 370 |
| 1996 | 373 |
| 1997 | 377 |
| 1998 | 379 |
| 1999 | 398 |
| 2000 | 382 |
| 2001 | 390 |
| 2002 | 398 |
| 2003 | 363 |
| 2004 | 306 |
| 2005 | 262 |
| 2006 | 256 |
| 2007 | 251 |
| 2008 | 241 |
| 2009 | 237 |
| 2010 | 229 |
| 2011 | 240 |
| 2012 | 225 |
| 2013 | 220 |
Since 2003 it is illegal to label a tobacco product as "light", "mild", "low-tar" or any other misleading form of advertisement which could cause the impression that the product causes less damage than other tobacco products.[20][21]
All radio and television advertisement for tobacco products was banned in 1975.[22] This regulation was extended by the "Rundfunkstaatsvertrag" on 1 August 1999, banning any kind of sponsoring of television and radio shows. In 2002, the "Protection of Young Persons Act" banned the advertising of tobacco products in cinemas before 6 p.m.[23] On 1 January 2007, the European Tobacco advertisement directive came into effect, banning the advertising of tobacco products on the internet, in newspapers and magazines. The regulation also banned sponsorship of any event which is broadcast internationally.[24]
Germany was the last EU member state to still legally permit billboard and cinema advertising for tobacco products, however this was changed by a new government regulation. Outdoor advertising is restricted in stages: From January 1, 2022, for tobacco products, from January 1, 2023, for tobacco heaters and from January 1, 2024, for e-cigarettes.[25] Cinema advertising was banned in 2021.[26]
In accordance with EU Tobacco Products Directive II, all sold cigarettes, rolling tobacco and hookah tobacco manufacturers have to cover 65% of the packaging with combined pictorial and textual warning labels on both sides, in addition to warning labels on the smaller sides since May 2017.
In Germany the amount of tobacco and the value of the product is used to calculate the tax (§ 3 TabakStG). In order to calculate the tobacco tax for each package the number of cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos or the quantity in grams (smoking tobacco) and the retail selling price is required. The information is printed on the "Steuerbanderole" (tax strip) of each tobacco package in full Euro and cent values.[citation needed]
In 2002 and 2003, the tobacco tax was increased to finance anti-terrorist measures.[citation needed] In 2004 and 2005 three increases followed to financially support health insurance.[citation needed] In 2010 tax increases were decided for the next 5 successive years starting 1 May 2011 over 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2015.[citation needed]
As of 2015, the tobacco tax rate was 9.82 cents per cigarette and 21.69 percent of the retail price, which makes a minimum sum of 19.636 cents per cigarette minus the sales tax of the retail selling price.[citation needed]
| Example calculation for a package containing 19 cigarettes with a retail price of 5,00 Euro: |
|---|
| 19 * 0,0982 Euro + 5,00 Euro * 21,69% = 1,8658 Euro + 1,0845 Euro = 2,95 Euro. |
Under Germany's "Protection of Young Persons Act" it is unlawful to sell or supply any tobacco product to anyone who is under eighteen years of age. It is also illegal to permit minors to smoke in any public place. Although it is not a crime for minors to purchase, attempt to purchase or consume tobacco products it is unlawful for any retailer or other responsible person to sell, supply or tolerate the consumption of tobacco by a person underage. If a minor is found smoking in public, the police have a duty to seize the tobacco products.
Protection of Young Persons Act – Section 10 Smoking in public, tobacco products
(1) Tobacco products may not be sold to children or adolescents nor may the latter be permitted/allowed to smoke in restaurants, shops or other public places.
(2) Tobacco products may not be made available from vending machines unless the following conditions are satisfied:
- The vending machine is installed at a location where it is not accessible to children or adolescents.
- The vending machine is fitted with mechanical means of ensuring or is permanently guarded to ensure that children and adolescents cannot buy tobacco products from them.
Prior to 1 September 2007 the minimum age for purchasing and smoking tobacco products had been 16 years. Until 1 January 2009 all tobacco vending machines had to be removed or refitted to ensure that minors could not purchase tobacco products from them. Since then, all vending machines require some form of identification before dispensing tobacco, usually an Electronic cash bank card, German identity card or European driving licence, to verify that the buyer is at least 18 years of age.[citation needed]
It is unlawful to sell any tobacco product in a package containing less than 19 cigarettes or 30 grams of loose fine-cut tobacco. To ensure this is the case, retailers may not destroy a tax strip on tobacco packaging. The law provides an exception for cigarillos and cigars under certain conditions.[27]
Selling tobacco products for more or less than the retail sale price set by the manufacturer and printed on the tax strip is unlawful. The only exception is when providing free samples to a customer for advertising purpose.[28][29]
Tobacco products may not be used as a prize in any form of commercial gaming or gambling.[30]
Adding or supplying anything else than the tobacco product to a package of cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos except for change is unlawful.[31]
The "Federal non-smoking act"[32] has introduced a smoking ban for the following public places and facilities:
The law does not apply to any residential or accommodation facility given to residents for personal use and allows for separated smoking facilities if the conditions apply which are set by the federal government.
| State | Government agency, departments and other institutions of the state and municipalities | Prisons | Hospitals and nursing homes | Day care centers for children | Schools | Gymnasiums, swimming pools etc. | Cultural institutions | Discothèques | Restaurants and bars | Public transportation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Baden-Württemberg
|
 1
|
2
|
3
|
 4
|
5
|
–6 | –6 / (applies to cinemas only)7
|
8
|
9
|
|
The non smoking protection law does not apply to: cultural institutions and sports facilities (except as part of a school). It also provides exceptions for restaurants, nightclubs, schools and governmental agencies and departments of the state and municipalities. |
 Bavaria
|
10
|
11
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
12
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
In designated areas of police departments and public prosecutions offices, smoking may be permitted where interrogations are conducted and the interrogated person is a smoker and has the permission of the director or head of department. |
 Berlin
|
14
|
14
|
15
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
16
|
17
|
17
|
13
|
|
 Bremen
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
23
|
23
|
23
|
23
|
26
|
26
|
23
|
|
 Hamburg
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
31
|
30
|
|
 Hesse
|
32 33
|
36
|
35 34
|
36
|
36
|
36
|
36
|
36
|
37
|
36
|
Buildings of the Hessischer Rundfunk have a special status: inside the building separated smoking rooms can be established. |
 Lower Saxony
|
42
|
43
|
44 42
|
45
|
Schools:45 Institution of higher education:42
|
45
|
42
|
42
|
42
|
|
In accordance with § 4 NiRSG a municipality can ban smoking on public playgrounds. |
 North Rhine-Westphalia
|
46
|
47
|
48
|
46
|
46
|
46
|
46
|
46
|
46
|
46
|
North Rhine-Westphalia has one of the strictest smoking bans nationwide. |
 Rhineland-Palatinate
|
49
|
50
|
51
|
52
|
49
|
49
|
53
|
54
|
54
|
49
|
|
 Saarland
|
55
|
56
|
56
|
57
|
57
|
57
|
57
|
57
|
57
|
57
|
|
 Schleswig-Holstein
|
64
|
65
|
65
|
64
|
64
|
64
|
64
|
66
|
66
|
64
|
|
 Brandenburg
|
21
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
21
|
21
|
21
|
22
|
22
|
21
|
|
 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
|
38
|
39
|
40
|
41
|
Schools:41 Institution of higher education:38
|
38
|
38
|
38
|
38
|
|
In accordance with § 2 (1) NichtRSchutzG M-V, every building can establish separated smoking areas. This does not apply to schools (except institutions of higher education), as well as daycare facilities for children. |
 Saxony
|
58
|
58
|
58
|
59
|
59
|
59
|
59
|
60
|
60
|
59
|
|
 Saxony-Anhalt
|
63
|
62
|
62 63
|
61
|
Schools:61 Institution of higher education: 63
|
61
|
61
|
63
|
63
|
61
|
|
 Thuringia
|
69
|
68
|
68
|
67
|
67
|
67
|
67
|
69
|
69
|
67
|
| 1 | Exceptions may be issued for special events. A general exception does exists for enclosed rooms.[33] |
| 2 | Smoking is allowed in detention premises, which are inhabited exclusively by smokers. In enclosed rooms or at special events further exemptions may be issued.[33] |
| 3 | Exceptions apply to patients in: palliative care, psychiatric treatment, by a court-ordered placement in a closed facility, or to achieve the therapeutic goal (addiction treatment). Smoking in enclosed areas of care facilities may be permitted if it is used or occupied exclusively by smokers or with the permission of the residents.[34] |
| 4 | Absolutely no smoking.[35] |
| 5 | Except apartments which are located wholly or partially on the school ground. Furthermore, the teacher's conference can allow smoking for adult students from class 11, or the corresponding classes of vocational schools as well as for teachers working there, at designated smoking areas with permission of the school committee and after consulting the parents' and student council.[36] |
| 6 | Is not covered by the state's smoking ban. Restrictions may apply if it is a part of a school or other educational establishment. |
| 7 | Since smoking is banned in all public establishments where food or drinks are administered for consumption on premises, smoking is prohibited in theaters and cinemas. This was confirmed on request from the government of Tübingen and the relevant ministry. |
| 8 | Exceptions for discothèques are made, if the smoking room is completetly separated and does not have a dance floor. Furthermore, minors under the age of 18 years may never be present on premises and the smoking area has to be clearly recognisable by a legible notice.[37] |
| 9 | Exceptions for restaurants and bars exist for completely separate rooms, if these areas are marked clearly recognizable as smoking rooms. Furthermore, smoking is permitted in bars and pubs: which are smaller than 75 square meters, the relevant premises only has one room which is used to serve the customers (Einraumgaststätten), and no food or just "cold" prepared food is sold for consumption on premises, and minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter and if the premises is clearly recognisable as a smokers pub.[37] |
| 10 | Absolutely no smoking.[38] |
| 11 | Exceptions apply to patients in: palliative care and psychiatric hospitals where smoking can be permitted at every station in a side room. In addition, the director of a correctional facility may permit smoking in common areas.[38] |
| 12 | Smoking is permitted if it is a part of an artistic performance.[38] |
| 13 | Absolutely no smoking.[39] |
| 14 | Exceptions apply for designated areas of correctional facilities, at deportation custody in prison cells of prisoners, other specially designated rooms in specially designated waiting areas in court buildings and in specially designated waiting areas and at interrogation in police stations.[39] |
| 15 | Exceptions apply for: designated rooms of psychiatric hospitals or rehabilitation centers, as well as areas in health facilities. Especially in psychiatry and palliative care for patients with permission of the chief physician allowing smoking for therapeutic reasons. Furthermore, exceptions apply for designated areas of stationary institutions or care centers for disabled people.[39] |
| 16 | Smoking is permitted if it is a part of an artistic performance.[39] |
| 17 | Exceptions apply to:
|
| 18 | Exceptions apply for holding cells of police departments with explicit permission by the chief the department.[40] |
| 19 | Excepted from the smoking ban are: prison cells of correctional facilities and of deportation custody, with permission of the chief of the administration.[40] |
| 20 | Excluded from the smoking ban are forensic commitment in patient rooms and in the areas where the management of the facility allows smoking, as well as in specially designated areas in health facilities, especially in psychiatry and palliative care for patients with permission by the treating physician for therapeutic reasons and in the rooms of homes or child care facilities pursuant to § 34 of the Eighth book of the Social Code, which are left to the residents for private use; in institutions beyond in specially designated areas where the home management allows smoking for residents and their families.[40] |
| 21 | Absolutely no smoking.[40] |
| 22 | Exceptions apply to:
|
| 23 | Absolutely no smoking.[41] |
| 24 | Excluded from the smoking ban are prisoner cells (only for solitary cells). Further smoking can be permitted in enclosed smoking rooms if permission is given by the chief of department.[41] |
| 25 | Excluded from the smoking ban are: rooms used by patients of palliative care or patients in psychiatric treatment or reside in a closed ward of a hospital because of a court-ordered placement. Furthermore, exceptions can be given to single patients to reach therapy goal. In individual cases, the attending physician will decide.[41] |
| 26 | In restaurants, bars and clubs separated smoking rooms can be established. In discothèques the separated room may not be connected to the dancing floor.[41] Furthermore, smoking is permitted in bars and pubs: which are smaller than 75 square meters, the relevant premises only has one room which is used to serve the customers (Einraumgaststätten), and no food or just "cold" prepared food is sold for consumption on premises, and minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter and if the premises is clearly recognisable as a smokers pub. |
| 27 | Exceptions apply to rooms of police custody if permission is given by the chief of department in each individual case.[42] |
| 28 | Excluded are rooms used for habitation, and if permission is given by every resident. Furthermore, permission has to be obtained by the chief of the establishment.[42] |
| 29 | Excluded are patients of mandatory conceptual or therapeutic reasons.[42] |
| 30 | Absolutely no smoking.[42] |
| 31 | Exceptions apply to:
|
| 32 | Excepted are completely separated smoking rooms, if their existence does not violate non-smokers.[43] |
| 33 | Exceptions apply for holding cells of police departments with explicit permission by the chief the department.[43] |
| 34 | Excluded are rooms used by residents for their own personal use.[43] |
| 35 | Excepted are patients of hospitals or other health care facilities, if smoking is a part of a medical treatment.[43] |
| 36 | Absolutely no smoking.[44] |
| 37 | The smoking ban does not apply to:
|
| 42 | Exccluded are completely separated smoking rooms, which are marked as smoking rooms. and any premises smaller than 75 square meters with only one rooms offering service to their customers, if none or just "cold" prepared food is sold for consumption on premises.[45] |
| 43 | The smoking ban does not apply to detention and interrogation rooms of correctional facilities and the police.[45] |
| 44 | The smoking ban does not apply to:
|
| 45 | Absolutely no smoking.[45] |
| 38 | Exccluded are completely separated smoking rooms, which are marked as smoking rooms. and any premises smaller than 75 square meters with only one rooms offering service to their customers, if none or just "cold" prepared food is sold for consumption on premises.[46] |
| 39 | Excluded are prison cells of correctional facilities, or patient rooms of residents of a mental hospital.[46] |
| 40 | Excluded are rooms used for own use by residents of a hospital or care facility if permission is given by attending physician.[46] |
| 41 | Absolutely no smoking. (§ 45 Sec. 1 of the 8. Social lawbook) |
| 46 | Absolutely no smoking.[47] |
| 47 | Excluded from the smoking ban are prisoner cells of correctional institutes, as long as all detainees are smokers.[47] |
| 48 | Smoking rooms are permitted in inpatient nursing facilities, institutes for disabled people. The smoking ban does not apply to patients in palliative or psychiatric treatment (as well as for patients sent to a health facility by court order). Further exceptions can be made for individual cases to reach the therapy goal.[47] |
| 49 | Absolutely no smoking.[48] |
| 50 | Excluded from the ban are holding cells of correctional facilities if all residents give their permission, further separated smoking rooms can be established.[48] |
| 51 | In all hospitals, prevention and rehabilitation facilities, homes for the elderly, care home and inpatient treatment facilities smoking is strictly prohibited. The smoking ban generally does not apply to premises which is for personal use only. Exceptions apply to:
|
| 52 | Smoking is strictly prohibited in premises of public youth services, day care centers or other facilities for young people (Facilities acc. Of the Eighth Book of the Social Code). In individual cases the head of the facility may permit smoking.[48] |
| 53 | Smoking is permitted if it is a part of an artistic performance.[48] |
| 54 | For restaurants, bars and clubs following rules apply:
|
| 55 | Smoking is permitted in separated and clearly highlighted smoker facilities.[49] |
| 56 | The smoking ban does not apply
|
| 57 | Absolutely no smoking.[49] |
| 58 | Separated smoking rooms are permitted in:
|
| 59 | Absolutely no smoking.[50] |
| 60 | Exceptions apply to:
|
| 61 | Absolutely no smoking.[51] |
| 62 | The smoking ban does not apply to:
|
| 63 | Smoking rooms can be permitted:
|
| 64 | Absolutely no smoking.[52] |
| 65 | The smoking ban does not apply to:
|
| 66 | Exceptions apply to:
|
| 67 | Absolutely no smoking.[53] |
| 68 | The smoking ban does not apply to:
|
| 69 | Exceptions apply to:
|
