German Health Official Calls for Further Restrictions on Smoking Behavior

Aug.01.2024
German Health Official Calls for Further Restrictions on Smoking Behavior
German Federal Health Ministry's drug policy commissioner Burkhard Blienert calls for further restrictions on smoking in Germany.

According to a report by Klamm on July 29th, Burkhard Blienert, the drug policy commissioner at the German Federal Ministry of Health, advocates for further restrictions on smoking behavior in Germany.


According to this Social Democratic Party politician, it is unacceptable to still see colorful tobacco and e-cigarette advertisements at gas stations or supermarket checkouts by 2024.


As early as the 2021 league agreement, the Red-Green Party had already reached stricter regulations on the marketing and sponsorship of nicotine products.


Briant pointed out that smoking is the cause of over 200 different diseases and results in nearly 100 billion euros of annual economic losses. He stated that he does not want to parent smokers, but advertising has enticing effects, especially on teenagers. Therefore, he is calling for stricter regulations in supermarkets and gas stations.


He also called for the quick restriction of the sale of disposable e-cigarettes.


Health organizations also called for a ban on the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes in supermarkets and gas stations, allowing sales only in licensed specialty stores and advocating for the use of plain packaging without prominent branding.


The German Tobacco Industry and New Products Federal Association pointed out that advertising opportunities have been restricted, such as the ban on posting e-cigarette posters since the beginning of the year.


Bryant called for urgent and serious action on the issue: banning advertisements, ending sponsorships, prohibiting disposable e-cigarettes, providing more consistent protection for non-smokers, especially children, and raising tobacco taxes.


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