Tobacco advertising: Federal Council decides to phase out

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No tobacco advertising from 2022

Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP

After a few unsuccessful attempts, the Federal Council has agreed on a far-reaching ban on advertising for tobacco products.

From 2022 there will be a ban on advertising on billboards, initially for conventional tobacco products.

From 2023 it should also apply to tobacco heaters, from 2024 for e-cigarettes.

As early as January 1, 2021, cinema advertising for smoking will be taboo if a film is approved for under 18s.

From then on, the distribution of free samples outside of specialist shops, for example at music festivals, will be prohibited.

Tobacco products may also no longer be raffled off as prizes in competitions.

Doctors have long been calling for further bans in Germany to prevent young people from smoking.

In the previous electoral term, an attempt to do so failed due to resistance from the Union.

In July, the Bundestag decided on a compromise that the grand coalition had agreed on.

The responsible Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner (CDU) said that far-reaching advertising restrictions were long overdue.

"Health protection must come first here."

The drug commissioner of the federal government, Daniela Ludwig (CSU), reacted with pleasure that it was "finally" done.

According to her, 120,000 people die every year in this country from tobacco consumption.

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sbo / dpa