Will a pack of cigarettes soon cost 23 euros? At least when it comes to the World Health Organization (WHO), this exorbitant price should be a reality in Germany. Most smokers will most likely not like this suggestion – such as Mario Basler. The former professional soccer player has often appeared on the soccer field and in TV shows with his beloved fags and took up the discussion about higher prices for tobacco products on Sunday evening in the “Stern TV” studio.
Ex-politician Frankenberger demands: “People should just stop smoking”
Also invited to the program was the former politician Sebastian Frankenberger, who in 2009 initiated the popular initiative “For real non-smoker protection!” became known in Bavaria – which resulted in the smoking ban in gastronomy. According to his ideas, a pack of cigarettes could cost up to 50 euros. “Basically, I pay for the health care system with my taxes because smokers use up a lot more money,” he explained his proposal. “People should just stop smoking and that’s why the prices can’t get expensive enough.”
Mario Basler defends tobacco use: “That’s my business”
The passionate smoker Mario Basler could only smile about it. “You can’t take the man seriously,” he said of the ex-ÖDP politician and went on to rant: “What you’re saying is complete nonsense. You’re taking even more money out of people’s pockets in Germany so that they end up having nothing.” The former football star does not want to be banned or discouraged from smoking. “That’s my business. I’ve been smoking for 40 years.”
© Screenshot RTL
by screenshot RTL
“”>
CSU politician Sebastian Brehm, who was also a guest in the “Stern TV” studio, was not convinced of the price increase on cigarettes, which the WHO and Sebastian Frankenberger are demanding. “The freedom of the individual to do what you want to do should still be there,” he explained. “Rather, it would be important to do prevention. That’s what we did when the tobacco tax was last increased.”
“I think it’s so cool”: Mario Basler provokes cigarette opponents
As a committed non-smoker, Sebastian Frankenberger did not allow himself to be swayed in his opinion and rumbled against the advocates of smoking: “I really can’t stand this discussion any longer, so please: clear smoking ban! It’s best if we ban cigarettes. What are the advantages ?” Mario Basler reacted calmly to this hearty announcement and said provocatively: “Mr. Frankenberger, do you know how nice it is when I get up in the morning, make myself a coffee and smoke my cigarette? That’s wonderful. Or after lunch and dinner? You can’t even imagine it because you’ve never smoked. I love it so much, I swear to you.”
The ex-ÖDP politician was not disturbed by the former professional athlete. It should have been clear in advance that the two would not come to a common denominator. For years, Mario Basler has defended his attitude towards tobacco consumption and in 2017 he said in an AZ interview about a smoking ban on the FC Bayern Munich training ground: “I wouldn’t have let it be banned.”