Experts call for a broader ban on tobacco advertising

Tobacco consumption is still very widespread in Germany
Although tobacco consumption is increasingly criticized by the public, just under one in three adults in Germany still smokes regularly. Smoking is still "the most significant single health risk in the developed world and the leading cause of premature mortality," warns the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in a recent World No Tobacco Day news release on May 31.

Smoking is associated with numerous health risks, but many people are still willing to accept these risks to this day. According to the data of the RKI study on health in Germany (DEGS1), which were obtained in the years 2008 to 2011, in this country 29.7 percent of the 18-79 year-old awakening daily or part-time smokers. Although the share of rough-and-white smokers in animal welfare has been falling for a few years, tobacco consumption is still widespread today. This year's World No Tobacco Day therefore has set itself the goal of setting clearer limits on tobacco advertising, also in order to reduce the acceptance of smoking in the population. "No room for poisonous messages - stop tobacco advertising now!" Is the slogan issued by the German Cancer Aid and the non-smoking campaign e.V..

To date, about every third adult in Germany smokes, despite the well-known health risks. (Image: underdogstudios / fotolia.com)

Smoking causes more than 100,000 deaths a year in Germany
"Among the diseases that occur more frequently in rough women and smokers include cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer diseases," says the RKI. Arterial calcification, smoker's cough and lung cancer are well known consequences here. In addition, negative effects on the metabolism, the skeleton, the tooth-holding apparatus, the eyes and the fertility are to be determined, explains the RKI. According to information from the institute, between 100,000 and 120,000 people die every year in Germany alone from smoking.

Tobacco advertising aimed specifically at young people
A comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising could, according to the non-smoking e.V. campaign, significantly reduce the proportion of smokers in the population. Tobacco advertising serves to increase tobacco consumption and promote the acceptance of smoking in society. The preferred target group of advertising are young people, as most smokers and teenagers start smoking tobacco and then usually smoke permanently.

Comprehensive tobacco advertising ban leads to a greater decline in tobacco consumption
Countries with extensive tobacco advertising bans show a higher reduction in cigarette consumption than countries with less comprehensive advertising bans, the non-smoking e.V. action group justifies its call for a stop to tobacco advertising. A comprehensive advertising ban on tobacco products includes "a ban on out-of-home advertising, a ban on advertising films for cigarettes in the cinema, a ban on the visibility of tobacco products at outlets and a ban on national sponsorship," reports the campaign alliance. Such a far-reaching prohibition on advertising is "in accordance with the Basic Law (Article 5 (1), first sentence, Article 12 (1) and Article 14 (1))" and is therefore constitutional. (Fp)