According to Doctors President Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the German Cancer Aid also calls for a comprehensive advertising ban on tobacco, which includes e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters. Germany is in the advertising bans across Europe, a "shameful last light," said CEO Gerd Nettekoven the "New Osnabrücker Zeitung".
In contrast to most other countries, tobacco may still be advertised on billboards in Germany as well as after 6 pm in cinemas.
This should be abolished, as well as advertising for tobacco heater and e-cigarettes, demands Nettekoven. "Even though these products are less polluting than tobacco, they still pose a health hazard to their consumers." Especially young people and non-smokers could become addicted to nicotine.
"Nonsense, to continue to promote e-cigarettes"
For years, the Union had blocked a general ban on tobacco advertising in Germany, but most recently, Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) also called for a cigarette advertising ban. He wanted to campaign for tobacco advertising to disappear soon from German roads, the Minister of Health told SPIEGEL.
However, it is unclear whether the general ban on advertising should only apply to classic tobacco products or e-cigarettes. Doctors' president Montgomery recently called on the grand coalition to finally pass resolutions. What is needed is a ban on all smoking products.
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It would be an absurdity, if the industry could continue advertising for e-cigarettes, Montgomery told the "Hannoversche Allgemeine". According to the article, there are efforts in the grand coalition to exclude e-cigarettes from the ban. Tobacco companies are already using much of their advertising budget on steamers instead of classic cigarettes.
France: 8.80 euros for a package
In addition to a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, the Cancer Aid also calls for a regular increase in tobacco taxes. As an example, Nettekoven called France, where smokers currently pay 8.80 euros for a pack of cigarettes.
Tobacco consumption costs lives and billions of euros, and the public pay a high price, Nettekoven justified the advance. "The tobacco-related costs amount nationwide at least 80 billion euros per year - 25.4 billion euros arise in the health system, 53.7 billion euros are estimated for production losses and early retirement."
In Germany, about 85,000 cases of cancer were caused by tobacco consumption in 2018 - significantly more than an unhealthy diet, overweight or lack of exercise.