Germany: Drug Enforcement Commissioner Wants to Strengthen Laws Against Tobacco, Alcohol, and Gambling

The German federal government's drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, wants to tighten the laws on alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, which he considers too liberal in Germany. Around 150,000 people die each year from alcohol and tobacco consumption, and it is estimated that one in eight adults has a gambling problem.[1].

Blienert explained that few European countries have such a liberal approach to alcohol and tobacco as Germany. It is necessary to protect young people and take significant measures against advertising for these addictions.[2].

Germany stayed for a long time the last country of the European Union to allow the tobacco industry to promote its products.

High tobacco and alcohol consumption among Germans

In Germany, more than one in three people are now smokers. The country is seeing a significant deterioration in its situation, with the smoking rate increasing by more than nine points compared to the situation before the Covid-19 crisis. 34.51% of Germans aged over 14 are now daily or occasional smokers, compared to 25.41% in July-August 2020. A situation that does not seem to spare the most young people since the proportion of current smokers in 2022 was 15.9% among 14-17 year olds and 40.8% among 18-24 year olds[3].

According to theAtlas of Alcohol Consumption In Germany, alcohol consumption is widespread in the country: in 2021, more than two-thirds of adults and about one-third of young people drank alcohol in the last 30 days. Around 16% of adult men and 11% of adult women consume risky amounts of alcohol each week (more than 10g of pure alcohol/day for women and more than 20g/day for men).

A restriction on advertising recommended

Advertising has a proven influence on consumption, and this influence is particularly significant among young people. This is why Blienert wants to ban all advertising for alcohol and all nicotine products (traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco, and vaping products) regardless of the medium, including websites and social media, radio, and television. He points out that there is no reason for kiosks, supermarket checkouts, and gas stations to continue advertising nicotine products. According to the federal delegate, banning advertising for these products would help stem the growing popularity of disposable puff-type e-cigarettes among young people.

The minimum drinking age also needs to be reviewed. Furthermore, the minimum drinking age of 14 in the presence of parents is simply an "absurdity of past health policy," according to the delegate, and should be raised.

To better protect young people and consumers in the area of gambling, sports betting advertising on television, radio, and the internet should be banned before 9 p.m., Blienert reminded the federal states responsible for the matter. 12.51% of adults have problems with gambling, which has also become a "factor of poverty."

Keywords: Germany, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, addictions, advertising

AE

[1] „Mussen an die Grossbaustellen ran: Alkohol, Tabak und Glücksspiel!“, federal government website, published January 26, 2023, accessed January 31, 2023

[2] Drogenbeauftragter für weitere Werbeverbote für Alkohol und Rauchen, Sächsische Zeitung, published January 26, 2023, accessed January 31, 2023

[3] Tobacco-Free Generation, Bavaria calls for ban on puffs in Germany and across Europe, published January 20, 2023, accessed January 31, 2023