France's ban on smoking: Germany should finally follow suit!

France's ban on smoking: Germany should finally follow suit!

In Germany, there is movement in the discussion about non -smoking protection. With a view to the new regulations in France, where a comprehensive ban on smoking in public locations applies from July 1, 2023, experts and organizations also require similar measures in Germany. In France, the ban on beaches, parks, school environments, bus stops and in sports facilities is to ensure the protection of non -smokers, especially children, and is enforced with fines of up to 135 euros in the event of disregard. Meanwhile, smoking is allowed in the outdoor areas of restaurants, while e-cigarettes are excluded from this regulation. As [Deutschlandfunk] (https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/Rauchberbot-in-france-find- an-Deutschland-welche-step-werden-malt-100.html), the French ban is welcomed by the German Cancer Society, which indicates that Germany afterwards in terms of non-smoking protection.

The new Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken not only criticizes the inadequate measures in Germany, but also demands stricter regulation of e-cigarettes and evaporators. These are considered more dangerous than many accept and can promote the start of smoking. Loudly, these products contain harmful substances that need to be regulated. In this sense, the Federal Government has included e-cigarettes in the Federal Nutry Smoking Protection Act. However, the responsibility for their implementation is largely with the federal states, which makes it difficult to implement, such as Tagesschau.

necessary measures and international role models

The German Cancer Aid and the German Cancer Society are calling for extensive measures to prevention, especially with regard to the World Niche Smoking Day. Tobacco consumption is the largest avoidable risk factor for cancer, with about 80% of lung cancer cases in Germany. Every year, the consequences of tobacco consumption call for at least 127,000 lives in Germany. The need for preventive measures is therefore clear: Germany is considered in the bottom of the European comparison.

A particularly pressing problem are the flavored tobacco products that the WHO considers particularly harmful and that facilitate the “entry” into nicotine addiction, especially among young people and young adults. It is estimated that 12.5% ​​of minors used e-cigarettes in the WHO European region 2022, while this value is only 2% in adults. These figures illustrate the urgency of action, and more than 50 countries have already banned flavored tobacco products. The WHO also calls for a ban on aromas in tobacco products to counteract an impending wave of addiction.

The French initiative and the demands from Germany continue to keep the discussion about non -smoking protection and tobacco regulation alive. It remains to be seen whether the pressure on the federal government continues to grow in order to create a stronger and more effective regulatory environment that takes into account both the health of non -smokers and that of the smokers. In the meantime, there is hope for a more comprehensive legislation, which ultimately helps to sustainably reduce smoking numbers and to protect society from the health risks of tobacco consumption.