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

UK Retailers Urge Government to Include Age-Verification Tech in Tobacco and Vapes Bill
UK Retailers Urge Government to Include Age-Verification Tech in Tobacco and Vapes Bill
UK convenience retailers have written to several government ministers urging the adoption of age-verification technology in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The letter, led by Atul Sodha of Londis, Harefield, and co-signed by 29 other shop owners, calls for a “triple lock” approach combining manufacturer tech, retailer vigilance, and user-level verification to curb youth access.
Nov.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Heaven Gifts’s HNB Brand REJO Launches New Device with Design Strikingly Similar to ELFBAR JOINOne Series
Heaven Gifts’s HNB Brand REJO Launches New Device with Design Strikingly Similar to ELFBAR JOINOne Series
Miracle’s heated tobacco brand REJO has launched its new device REJO CUBE in Dubai. The device’s industrial design is highly similar to the ELFBAR JOINOne series, featuring a left-right magnetic structure and side-mounted screen. Positioning the Middle East as a key market, REJO is moving ahead with local team building and entity setup in the region.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Publishes List of Major Tax Delinquents: Vape Wholesaler Owes Over USD 15.5 Million
South Korea Publishes List of Major Tax Delinquents: Vape Wholesaler Owes Over USD 15.5 Million
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has released a list of 236 habitual and large-scale customs tax delinquents with total unpaid taxes amounting to approximately USD 917 million. Among them, a vape wholesaler tops the individual list, owing about USD 15.57 million, while another vape-related company owes roughly USD 12.02 million.
Nov.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia's Perm Legislators Approve Full Ban on Vape Products in Regional Retail Market
Russia's Perm Legislators Approve Full Ban on Vape Products in Regional Retail Market
2Firsts, November 28, 2025 — The Legislative Assembly of Perm Krai has passed a law banning the retail sale of vape products and other nicotine-aerosol devices, effective March 1, 2026. Individuals found selling such items will face fines between ₽15,000–₽20,000 (about US $180–240), while companies face ₽50,000–₽100,000 (about US $600–1,200). The ban covers all electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated-tobacco devices, and their components, regardless of nicotine content.
Nov.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand National Health Commission Advances Vape Regulation Aligned with Anti-Drug Agenda
Thailand National Health Commission Advances Vape Regulation Aligned with Anti-Drug Agenda
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram, who chairs the National Health Commission (NHC), presided over a meeting aligning the nation’s e-cigarette control policies with the government’s “Quick Big Win” anti-drug strategy. The session reviewed progress under the National Health Assembly Resolution on Protecting Children and Youth from E-Cigarettes, which includes five key measures on awareness, enforcement, and prevention.
Nov.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
SKE’s Parent Company Yinghe Technology Reports 80% Drop in Q3 Net Profit, Revenue Up 22.85% Year-on-Year
SKE’s Parent Company Yinghe Technology Reports 80% Drop in Q3 Net Profit, Revenue Up 22.85% Year-on-Year
Yinghe Technology (SZ: 300457), parent company of SKE, saw Q3 net profit plunge 80.3% to 31.06 million yuan, while revenue rose 22.85% to 2.52 billion yuan. The decline was mainly driven by higher costs and expenses.
Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai