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Every year 121,000 people die in Germany as a result of tobacco consumption
Photo: A3390 Kay Nietfeld / dpa
The World Health Organization (WHO) is convinced that Germany still has some catching up to do in the fight against smoking.
The WHO praises the new measures against tobacco advertising, but they could go further, said the WHO Director for Health Promotion, Rüdiger Krech.
In Germany, as of January 1, 2021,
tobacco products
may
no longer be advertised
in
cinemas
if a film has been approved for under 18s.
From 2022 there will be advertising for
conventional tobacco products
banned
on
billboards
.
From 2023 onwards, it is no longer allowed for
Tobacco heaters and e-cigarettes from 2024.
"Germany in Europe so far among the bottom lights"
"It is regrettable that the ban on advertising in cinemas only applies to films that are approved for under 18s," said Krech.
Other countries have completely banned tobacco product advertising in cinemas.
"We would also have liked the ban on advertising on billboards to come into force earlier."
In addition, there is no complete ban on advertising around sales points such as kiosks or petrol stations.
According to the 2019 Federal Drug Report, around 27 percent of men and 21 percent of women smoke in Germany.
According to estimates, 121,000 people die every year nationwide as a result of tobacco consumption.
"Germany has so far been at the bottom of the list in Europe when it comes to tobacco restrictions," said Krech.
Now it is in the midfield:
Germany is one of the few countries in Europe that has
not completely banned
the distribution of
free tobacco products
.
Also
sponsorships
by the tobacco industry are still not completely prohibited.
Germany is also among the 22 out of 50 countries in the WHO European region that
have not yet abolished
tobacco vending machines
.
The coronavirus pandemic has opened up a great opportunity in the fight against tobacco, said Krech: Based on the latest surveys, WHO analyzes show that significantly more tobacco users are concerned about their health and want to quit smoking more seriously.
Authorities would have to support them with offers for weaning.
"You can still do a lot there in Germany," said Krech.
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koe / dpa