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

GEEKBAR Announces Restock on Social Media, Pulse and Pulse X Lines Back in Stock
GEEKBAR Announces Restock on Social Media, Pulse and Pulse X Lines Back in Stock
GEEKBAR has announced a new round of restocking across multiple overseas social media platforms, bringing its flagship Pulse and Pulse X product lines back on sale, with several previously hard-to-find flavors returning simultaneously, alongside the launch of the new Thermal Edition.
Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia’s Federation Council Approves Ban on Vape and Cigarette Sales at Transport Stops
Russia’s Federation Council Approves Ban on Vape and Cigarette Sales at Transport Stops
Russia’s Federation Council has approved a law banning the sale of all nicotine-containing products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, at urban and suburban public transport stops. The law includes an exemption for cases where a retail outlet at a stop is the only point of sale in a locality. The legislation will come into force on September 1, 2026.
Dec.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Japan Launches New TEREA “Stellar Pearl,” Featuring Mint and Yellow Citrus Notes
Philip Morris Japan Launches New TEREA “Stellar Pearl,” Featuring Mint and Yellow Citrus Notes
Philip Morris Japan announced the launch of a new TEREA heated tobacco stick for the IQOS ILUMA series, “TEREA Stellar Pearl,” featuring a crushable capsule mint profile. The product will go on sale in Japan through offline retail channels from Jan. 19 and will be rolled out on the company’s official e-commerce store from Jan. 29, priced at 580 yen (about $3.6) per pack.
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Juul Labs UK launches JUUL2 Peach flavour aimed at adult smokers
Juul Labs UK launches JUUL2 Peach flavour aimed at adult smokers
Juul Labs UK announced on January 1, 2026 the launch of a new JUUL2 Peach flavour, described as an adult-oriented addition that expands the JUUL2 flavour portfolio. The company said the flavour will roll out across the UK from January 1 through major retailers, wholesalers and convenience stores, offering adult smokers alternatives to transition away from cigarettes.
Jan.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Barnsley: Town-centre vape shop and owner hit with £15,000+ bill after ignoring three improvement notices
UK Barnsley: Town-centre vape shop and owner hit with £15,000+ bill after ignoring three improvement notices
A Barnsley town-centre vape retailer and its owner have been ordered to pay more than £15,000 after admitting multiple offences linked to the continued sale of illegal single-use vapes and non-compliant food items, despite three formal improvement notices.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued a statement on December 10, 2025, condemning Philip Morris International (PMI) for partnering with Ferrari to promote Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 cars. She said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is misleading, as F1’s audience has become increasingly young—with over 4 million children aged 8–12 now following the sport.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai