Germany's politician are petting outdoors - France as a model!

Germany's politician are petting outdoors - France as a model!

In Germany, the topic of smoking is again in focus, especially initiated by the new laws in France, which will create a comprehensive ban on prohibitions in public places such as parks, schools and sports facilities from July. Political actors from the SPD and the Greens require a similar regulation in Germany to protect children from the dangers of passive smoking. Dagmar Schmidt from the SPD describes the French model as brave and wishes that stricter measures to avoid smoke will also be taken in this country. This requirement is also supported by the Greens by Janosch Dahmen, who emphasizes that a smoke -free environment is absolutely necessary for children and that the health risks of tobacco products and their consequences for society must not be ignored. As reported [world] (https://www.welt.de/politik/Deutschland/article256192008/wie-in-freich-and-gruene-wollen-wollen-wollen-ach-in-deutschland-rauchverbote-im-freien.html), higher tobacco taxes and sales bans outside of licensed business are also part of the proposed measures.

On the other hand, Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) makes it clear that not only traditional tobacco consumption is on the agenda of politics. It emphasizes that the handling of e-cigarettes and vapes urgently needs to be regulated, since they are often perceived as less harmful, but health risks, which are too often underestimated. Warking demands that the countries limit the consumption of e-cigarettes more. In their view, these products are more potentially more dangerous than many think and, above all, should not get into the hands of children. For example, Tagesschau reports that e-cigarettes can act as an introduction to smoking and lead to dependency.

uniform regulations and responsible prevention

The German Cancer Aid has asked the Federal Government to invest more in prevention, especially with regard to the World Niche Smoking Day. Tobacco consumption is the largest avoidable cancer risk factor, with an estimated 80 percent of lung cancer cases in Germany caused by smoking. Every year at least 127,000 people die as a result of tobacco consumption. Therefore, a ban on smoking on playgrounds and in educational institutions is also required, since Germany is generally considered the bottom of Europe in tobacco prevention. Tagesschau refers to the alarming statistics and the urgent need for action in this area.

There is further focus on the fact that the federal government is currently only responsible for federal institutions and public transport in relation to non -smoking protection. For all other areas such as restaurants, schools and universities, the federal states have to make their own regulations. This previously distribution of responsibilities could soon be put to the test in the debate about more extensive smoking bans, because health protection, especially the younger generation, must be a central point of view here.

The EU has recently recommended that smoking bans also check outdoors. The WHO has also expressed concerns about flavored nicotine products that are particularly appealing to young people. In view of the increasing number of users among minors, the WHO warns that progress in the area of tobacco control could be endangered. 12.5 percent of minors currently use e-cigarettes in the European WHO European region, while the proportion of adults is only 2 percent. The concerns about the health of the youth are more than justified and should be given the highest priority.

The current developments related to smoking ban clearly show that there is an acute need for action here. With the right legal framework, Germany might catch up and become a real pioneer in non -smoking protection.