28% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 20.1 million current smokers in Germany
Smoking in Germany
The overall smoking prevalence in Germany has been going down since 2006. 28% of the adult population in Germany are current smokers, up from 30% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 20.1 million smokers in the country. 29.9% of men smoke and for women the figure is 26%.
The most recent data show there were 124,789 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 42,000 women and 82,800 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 15.21% (women: 8.9%; and men: 18.4%).
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Germany and there are 1.5 million vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 2.1%. There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.
Heated tobacco products are legal and can be marketed, but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is available to buy in pharmacies. The NRT market in Germany is worth €45.8 million.
For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Deaths
In Germany, 124,789 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.
Market size of NRT.
NRT market size is estimated to 45.8 million €.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Germany
Heated tobacco products are taxed similarly to pipes in Germany.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Germany
Germany abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are classified as tobacco related products and are regulated by the Federal Government law on the Implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive and Related Products 2016. Since 2016, it is prohibited for young people under 18 to use, or to be sold, e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes can be sold and advertised within the confines of EU legislation. Although e-cigarettes don’t precisely fall under the laws for protecting non-smokers (yet), there is a federal smoking ban in some instances and e-cigarettes are usually dealt with similarly. Vaping on a train or bus is not allowed, and there are designated areas for vaping/smoking at stations, however there are state by state differences in the rules. There is currently no excise tax on e-cigarette fluid.
Snus
in Germany
Snus is banned. Advertising Snus is allowed. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Germany.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Germany
NRT market size is estimated to 45.8 million €. In Germany you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. Advertising NRT is allowed. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.