Smoking à la France: Does the ban also come to Germany?

Smoking à la France: Does the ban also come to Germany?

Frankreich - smoking is an issue that not only touches the health of those affected directly, but also our society as a whole. In Germany, the course for stricter non -smoking protection measures could be set, inspired by the developments in France. From July 2023, smoking in public places will be severely restricted in order to protect children in particular. The reactions from German politics are clear: politicians from the SPD and the Greens demand similar measures to counteract the health risk of tobacco smoke. Dagmar Schmidt, faction vice of the SPD in the Bundestag, describes the French smoking ban as a "brave step" and a model for Germany. The green health expert Janosch Dahmen also speaks for a ban on smoking in public places in Germany to protect the population more efficiently.

The discussion about non -smoking protection is also fueled by Johannes Bruns, the general secretary of the German Cancer Society. He emphasizes that Germany lags behind in this area and should serve France as an example. Tobacco consumption has devastating consequences: around 127,000 people in Germany die every year from the consequences of smoking, a third of them due to cardiovascular diseases. Every year, 85,000 people develop cancer caused by smoking. The data once again show the urgency of a reform.

on the way to strict regulations

Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) also supports stricter requirements for non -smoking protection. However, it sees the responsibility mainly among the federal states, which are responsible for the regulations in public institutions such as restaurants, schools and universities. The federal government has already taken measures by adding e-cigarettes to the non-smoking protection law, but many points remain unaffected. Experts criticize the inadequate protection through existing regulations, while Minister of Health Warken sees the consumption of e-cigarettes as a reason for concern. In their opinion, these products are more questionable in terms of health than previously assumed and contribute to the development of addiction in young people.

Many experts appeal to the federal government to do more for prevention - especially with regard to the World Niche Smoking Day. Tobacco consumption is the largest avoidable risk factor for cancer. Eighty percent of lung cancer cases in Germany are smoke due to smoke. Not only the Cancer Society also demands concrete measures such as a smoking ban on playgrounds, in schools and at sporting events.

international developments and challenges

The discussion is not limited to Germany. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already warned several times about the dangers of flavored nicotine products that are particularly attractive for young people. In 2022, 12.5 percent of minors use e-cigarettes in the WHO European region, compared to only 2 percent of adults. The WHO therefore calls for the ban on flavors in tobacco products to prevent an addiction wave. More than 50 countries have already issued corresponding bans, and although Germany lags behind in this area, a change is emerging.

Current developments show that it is time to rethink the health guidelines and to strengthen non -smoking protection. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to orientate yourself on the international role models and to protect the health of the population. It is clear, however, that the debate about bans in Germany is only really picking up speed.

For more information about smoking and health, we recommend the articles from Bild , Federal Ministry of Ministry and . .