Tobacco use
Drug commissioner for tougher course against smoking
Every year around 127,000 people die in Germany as a result of smoking. photo
© Axel Heimken/dpa
There is a “massive need for action” in Germany, says the federal government’s drug commissioner, Blienert. As a first step, a ban on advertising tobacco products must be implemented.
The federal government’s drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, has called for significantly more decisive action against Tobacco consumption was discussed and there was a “massive need for action”. “We can take an example from the seriousness with which the issue of smoking is approached in other countries,” Blienert told the “Bild” newspaper (Thursday).
The British government, for example, wants to make the purchase of tobacco illegal for people born after January 1, 2009. To achieve this, the minimum age, which is currently 18, is to be gradually increased.
At the same time, Blienert referred to the traffic light government’s agreements. “Step number one for us is to now implement the agreements from the coalition agreement and finally ensure that cigarettes etc. are no longer allowed to be advertised and that there is no longer any sponsorship from the tobacco industry.” According to Blienert, 127,000 people die every year as a result of smoking.