Smoking remains a major health problem in Germany. Almost one third of adults (approx. 29 %) smoke regularly or occasionally – men significantly more often (approx. 33%) than women (approx. 25%). Smoking is particularly prevalent in the 18 to 29 age group (approx. 35%), closely followed by 30 to 44-year-olds (approx. 34%). Only from the age of 65 years onwards the proportion of smokers drop noticeably (16%). Men and people with lower or medium levels of education are more likely to smoke. This is shown by the results of the GEDA 2023 study conducted by the RKI.

Despite the known risks, relatively few measures are being taken in Germany to protect people from the health consequences of smoking. In a Europe-wide assessment of implementation of tobacco control measures, Germany ranks among the bottom five countries. Yet there is a great need for action: smoking is the single biggest health risk in this country and the most common cause of premature death. Every year, around 127,000 people die from the consequences of tobacco consumption – for example, from cardiovascular disease, cancer or respiratory diseases. Added to this are high costs for the health system.

One focus of tobacco prevention is to encourage people to quit smoking. However, the number of serious attempts is declining. While around 30% of smokers attempted to quit permanently in 2016, this figure had fallen to just 7.7% by 2024, according to the German Smoking Behaviour Survey (DEBRA).