Germany's Federal Drug Commissioner to Crack Down on Smoking

Jun.03.2024
Germany's Federal Drug Commissioner to Crack Down on Smoking
Germany's federal drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, vows to crack down on smoking advertising to combat tobacco-related deaths and economic losses.

According to Finanz Nachrichten on May 30th, Burkhard Blienert, the Federal Drug Commissioner of Germany, recently stated that efforts to combat smoking issues will continue. Blienert emphasized that advertising is one of the primary factors that contribute to people continuing to smoke, and therefore unrestricted advertising of tobacco and e-cigarettes must be restricted.


He said that despite seeing fewer and fewer young people smoking, Germany still faces significant challenges. It is known that tobacco and nicotine consumption in Germany leads to an annual death toll of as high as 127,000, causing economic losses as high as 100 billion euros.


The commissioner advocates for studying the serious discussions on smoking issues in other countries. He listed some effective policies, such as a total ban on advertising, withdrawing sponsorship from tobacco companies, strengthening smoking cessation support, increasing tobacco taxes, and providing stricter protection for non-smokers, especially children exposed to secondhand smoke.


Blinnett publicly stated his opposition to disposable e-cigarettes, recommending an immediate nationwide ban on these products rather than waiting for potential future regulations in Europe.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

France Introduces Standard for Nicotine Pouches, Sets Strict Requirements
France Introduces Standard for Nicotine Pouches, Sets Strict Requirements
French standard XP V37-500 for nicotine pouches sets strict guidelines for ingredients, production, toxicology assessment, packaging, and labeling.
Jul.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Selangor, Malaysia Mulls Full E-Cigarette Sales Ban; Policy Proposal to be Reviewed
Selangor, Malaysia Mulls Full E-Cigarette Sales Ban; Policy Proposal to be Reviewed
The Selangor state government is evaluating a potential full ban on e-cigarette sales, with a policy proposal set to be presented to the state executive council for review, considering health and social impacts. Earlier, Terengganu announced a complete e-cigarette sales ban starting in August.
May.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea's Tax Policy on Solid Nicotine Vapes Sparks Debate as Tobacco Industry Urges Urgent Regulation of Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea's Tax Policy on Solid Nicotine Vapes Sparks Debate as Tobacco Industry Urges Urgent Regulation of Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea’s low tax on solid nicotine vapes has raised concerns over tax avoidance, but industry players note the products are already regulated and have minimal market share. The real regulatory gap, they argue, lies in synthetic nicotine, which remains largely unregulated amid slow legislative progress.
May.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK's £10M Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes Questioned; Industry Calls for Systemic Reform
UK's £10M Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes Questioned; Industry Calls for Systemic Reform
The UK government has announced a £10 million fund to combat the sale of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. However, eCig Click, an independent e-cigarette platform, has questioned the long-term effectiveness and cost-benefit ratio of this policy. It argues that enforcement alone cannot address the root causes of the black market and has called for systemic regulatory reform and industry collaboration.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cambodia’s E-Cigarette Ban Extends to Foreign Investment—Is China or Vietnam Involved?
Cambodia’s E-Cigarette Ban Extends to Foreign Investment—Is China or Vietnam Involved?
In April 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet publicly rejected an investment application for an e-cigarette factory from an unnamed country, which has drawn widespread international attention. Has China, Vietnam, or some other third country already begun industrial layout in Cambodia?
May.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive Interview with Lost Vape: Unveils New Products at Dubai Expo, Including the Large-Screen Ursa Series
Exclusive Interview with Lost Vape: Unveils New Products at Dubai Expo, Including the Large-Screen Ursa Series
Lost Vape's booth manager, Merry, explained how the company is addressing global regulatory tightening and increasing market competition by launching new products that align with the industry's "big-screen" trend, while leveraging its in-house manufacturing to ensure quality control and R&D.
Jun.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai