En Alemania, los cigarrillos electrónicos son legales y están regulados como productos de tabaco. La venta por internet de cigarrillos electrónicos está permitida y estos productos se encuentran ampliamente disponibles en comercios generales. Sin embargo, la venta a través de máquinas expendedoras está prohibida y no se autorizan declaraciones sobre beneficios para la salud que promuevan su uso. La publicidad de cigarrillos electrónicos también está sujeta a restricciones. Alemania aplica un impuesto especial a los productos de cigarrillos electrónicos, que equivale hasta al 10% de los impuestos que se aplican a los cigarrillos convencionales. El país cuenta con un marco regulatorio detallado para la fabricación y comercialización de cigarrillos electrónicos; en este sentido, se exige la notificación de nuevos productos antes de su entrada en el mercado y es obligatorio que los envases sean a prueba de niños y manipulaciones. Además, todos los envases deben mostrar advertencias sanitarias de forma clara. La venta está limitada a personas mayores de 18 años y la concentración máxima de nicotina permitida es de 20 mg/ml. La capacidad máxima de los depósitos está restringida a 2 ml, en cumplimiento de la normativa de la Unión Europea. Actualmente no existen límites respecto a la variedad de sabores, pero el uso de cigarrillos electrónicos está prohibido en determinados lugares públicos. En 2023, aproximadamente 1,4 millones de personas en Alemania eran usuarios actuales de cigarrillos electrónicos, lo que representa el 2% de la población adulta. La prevalencia actual de vapeo entre adultos fue de 3,3% en mujeres y 4,5% en hombres, mientras que la prevalencia diaria fue de 0,6%. Como referencia, en 2017 alrededor del 12% de los adultos declaró haber probado cigarrillos electrónicos al menos una vez. Los datos de percepción pública de ese mismo año muestran que el 54% de los encuestados consideraba los cigarrillos electrónicos tan perjudiciales o más perjudiciales que los cigarrillos tradicionales, el 32% creía que eran menos dañinos y el 14% no tenía una opinión formada.
Prevalencia
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2% | 2A A |
| 2021 | 2.1% | 2B |
| 2021 | 3.9% | 2C B |
| 2023 | 2% | 2D |
| 2023 | 2% | 2E |
- European Commission (2017). Special Eurobarometer 458: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes Available at: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2146_87_1_458_ENG
- European Commission. (2021). Special Eurobarometer 506: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes (S2240_506_ENG). European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/S2240_506_ENG
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-deu.pdf?sfvrsn=3c353f56_3&download=true. Accessed: 6 August 2025.
- European Commission. (2024). Special Eurobarometer 539: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and related products [Dataset]. European Commission. https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2995
- Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Eurobarometer data provides a representative sample of ~28,000 respondents and estimates the prevalence of vaping for the EU overall, as well as per country. The survey was conducted in March 2017. Covers 28 European Union (EU) countries. Total sample N = 27901, aged 15 and over.
- Adults survey: Epidemiologischer Suchtsurvey (ESA), 2021; National, ages 18-64
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.3% | 2A A |
| 2023 | 2% | 2B |
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-deu.pdf?sfvrsn=3c353f56_3&download=true. Accessed: 6 August 2025.
- Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Adults survey: Epidemiologischer Suchtsurvey (ESA), 2021; National, ages 18-64
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4.5% | 2A A |
| 2023 | 3% | 2B |
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-deu.pdf?sfvrsn=3c353f56_3&download=true. Accessed: 6 August 2025.
- Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Adults survey: Epidemiologischer Suchtsurvey (ESA), 2021; National, ages 18-64
- European Commission. (2021). Special Eurobarometer 506: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes (S2240_506_ENG). European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/S2240_506_ENG
- Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- 1. European Commission. (2024). Special Eurobarometer 539: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and related products [Dataset]. European Commission. https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2995 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- European Commission. (2024). Special Eurobarometer 539: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and related products [Dataset]. European Commission. https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2995
- European Commission (2017). Special Eurobarometer 458: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes Available at: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2146_87_1_458_ENG
- E-cigarettes with nicotine World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- E-cigarettes with nicotine
- Eurobarometer data provides a representative sample of ~28,000 respondents and estimates the prevalence of vaping for the EU overall, as well as per country. The survey was conducted in March 2017. Covers 28 European Union (EU) countries. Total sample N = 27901, aged 15 and over.
Promoción de productos
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | Sí | A |
| 2024 | Sí | 2A |
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Germany. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/germany/e-cigarettes?row=1391394. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
- Allowed or banned at place of sale or allowed or banned in all media.
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Germany. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/germany/e-cigarettes?row=1391394. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
Regulación
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | Permitidos | 1A |
| 2024 | Permitidos | 1B |
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | Sí | 3A |
| 2022 | Sí | 3B |
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
- Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=88. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
- Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=88. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Disponibilidad
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Regulaciones y restricciones
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sí: 18 años | 3A |
| 2022 | Sí: 18 años | 3B |
- https://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/products/revision_en
- Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=88. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Germany. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/germany/e-cigarettes?row=1391394. Accessed: 23 July 2025.
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
- Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=88. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Percepción del daño
- Reference: European Commission (2017). Special Eurobarometer 458: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes Available at: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2146_87_1_458_ENG
- Question asked in this survey did not compare harmfulness with cigarettes. The question used was 'Do you think they are harmful to the health of people who use them?' 54% - YES, 32% - NO, 14% DON'T KNOW
Impuesto
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0.16 €/ml | 1A A |
| 2024 | Up to 10% of those levied on cigarettes | 1B |
- e-Dampfen.info: https://e-dampfen.info/liquid/liquidsteuer/
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
- There is currently an excise tax on e-cigarette liquids. As of July, it is 16ct/ml (regardless of the concentration or presence of nicotine). This also applies to flavor concentrates and base liquids (PG/VG) sold in specialty stores.
- Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Publicaciones
The European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) 2016 Changes to the EU TPD
- No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction
The TPD is a Directive of the EU which means that all EU countries must ‘transpose’ or incorporate the TPD requirements into their national laws. The only flexibility permitted is the ability to enact additional regulations. The current Directive entered into force on 19th May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20th May 2016.
In 2014 a revised Tobacco Products Directive known as TPD 2 was issued by the EU to update the 2001 Tobacco Products Directive. TPD2 regulates all tobacco products in the European Union and its scope is wide. It covers product regulation in terms of reporting obligations of ingredients and emissions for all tobacco products. It includes product packaging and labelling including the size and appearance of products, traceability features to be fixed onto packaging as well as health warnings. It covers cross-border advertising of tobacco products; it reinforces the ban on oral tobacco products (snus), but importantly it provides for the placing on the market of e-cigarettes and refill containers, as well as making provision for notification of novel tobacco products. It also provides for herbal cigarettes.
See also p. 96 of the report: No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2018 — Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (gsthr.org)
Top Four Reasons for Starting to Use E-Cigarettes
- No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction
This figure illustrates the most important reasons that motivate smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, across the 28 member states of the European Union in 2017.
The top reason across the EU for using e-cigarettes is to stop using tobacco. The clear majority of people using e-cigarettes did so to stop, or to reduce tobacco use (61%). Following this the next reason was because they thought e-cigarettes were less harmful than cigarettes (31%), or less expensive (25%). Only 6% said they started because they felt using e-cigarettes was cool or attractive.
See also p. 44 of the report: No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2018 — Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (gsthr.org)
Ratio of Current Vapers to Current Smokers
- No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction
This figure provides a simple metric giving the ratio of current e-cigarette users to current smokers amongst the 28 EU member states in 2017. This shows that the UK has the most e-cigarette users per smoker at 0.29. In other words, there are 29 e-cigarette users for every hundred smokers in the UK. In many other EU countries, the ratio is above 0.10.
These data were gathered by the European Union for the Eurobarometer 458 survey, which aimed to conduct an extensive survey of e-cigarette use across the EU as part of a wider review of smoking habits. Across the 28 EU member states this survey found that:
» Around 15 percent of those aged 15 or over had tried an e-cigarette at least once – compared to 12 percent in 2014;
» Two percent of the total EU population are current users of e-cigarettes and this has remained stable since 2014;
» Almost one in twenty current smokers now currently use e-cigarettes or similar devices (four percent), and four percent of ex-smokers;
» Current use of e-cigarettes among people who have never smoked is rare. At most, one percent of e-cigarette users in any EU country are people who have never smoked.
See also p. 42 of the report: No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2018 — Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (gsthr.org)