Is a total smoking ban imminent?
In Germany, the number of smokers has significantly decreased over the years, particularly among the younger generation. Once considered a symbol of modernity and self-confidence, smoking is now increasingly perceived as a niche phenomenon.
During the 1950s, smoking was widespread and highly valued both socially and culturally. The majority of men consumed tobacco regularly, while two out of ten women did so as well. However, in the subsequent decades, the smoking rates among men and women began to converge. From the 2010s onwards, the proportion of smokers among both genders reached new lows.
The shift in attitudes towards smoking can be attributed to several factors, including intensified awareness campaigns, restricted tobacco advertising, separated smoking areas in public places, and increased tobacco prices. Although e-cigarettes, tobacco heaters, and water pipes gained popularity from the 2000s, the consumption of water pipes has decreased significantly since 2018, while e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters continue to increase, albeit at a slow pace.
The younger generation, in particular, has shown a growing aversion to smoking. In the early 2000s, nearly one-third of 12- to 17-year-olds smoked. Today, it is only ten percent. In 2007, the age limit for purchasing tobacco products and smoking in public was raised from 16 to 18 years. A survey from 2023 revealed that only seven percent of young people described themselves as regular or occasional smokers. Even among young adults, the non-smoker proportion is consistently high.
The trend towards declining smoking rates is not exclusive to Germany. In nearly all countries, the proportion of smokers in the population has decreased. Notable exceptions include countries like Jordan and Egypt, where the proportion of smokers has increased. Even in Indonesia, the world's largest populous Muslim country, the number of smokers has risen since the turn of the millennium.
Some countries, such as the European Union, have set ambitious goals to reduce smoking rates drastically. The EU aims to reduce tobacco consumption to less than 5% of the population by 2040 as part of its "Tobacco-Free Generation" initiative. Countries like Belgium, Finland, France, and Ireland are among the pioneers in this effort, implementing stricter smoking bans and regulatory measures. While current strategies have shown some effect, the smoking rate is still decreasing moderately, leading researchers to recommend "new, innovative strategies and measures" to achieve these goals.
The battle against smoking is ongoing, but the trend towards a tobacco-free generation is clear. Whether smoking will eventually become a thing of the past remains to be seen. RTL will broadcast a show titled "Finally Non-Smoker!" on May 31, 2025, featuring Wolfram Kons, Lilly Becker, and Christian Häckl, offering insights and support for those who wish to quit smoking.
Sources: ntv.de
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/tobaccofreegeneration_en[2] https://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/enforcement_en[3] https://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/strategy_en[4] https://theconversation.com/france-bans-smoking-in-outdoor-zones-can-this-help-reduce-tobacco-consumption-144522[5] https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/france-tobacco-control-report-2018
Education emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, promoting awareness about the harmful effects of smoking. [1]
The growing interest in health-and-wellness and the advancements in science contribute to the diminishing popularity of smoking, particularly among the younger generation. [2]
