German Cancer Aid Seeks a Tobacco-Free Germany
The German Cancer Aid is calling for a tobacco-free Germany, citing the devastating impact of smoking on public health. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, the organization’s chairman, Franz Kohlhuber, emphasized the significance of the World No Tobacco Day, which falls on Saturday. “Tobacco consumption is the largest preventable risk factor for cancer” he stated. “Around 80 percent of all lung cancer cases in Germany can be attributed to smoking and it also increases the risk of at least 14 other types of cancer.”
Kohlhuber highlighted the staggering cost of tobacco consumption in Germany, with at least 127,000 lives lost every year. The organization’s goal is to achieve a tobacco-free Germany by 2040, with less than 5 percent of adults and less than 2 percent of young people consuming tobacco products or e-cigarettes. Currently, Germany lags behind in tobacco prevention in Europe, Kohlhuber noted.
The chairman urged the new German government to take swift action, citing the need for effective protection against secondhand smoke and the creation of tobacco-free environments, as exemplified by France’s recent efforts. He also called for the prohibition of smoking on playgrounds, sports facilities and the grounds of educational and health institutions, in line with the demands of many other health organizations.