A proposed ban on smoking in public areas in France is gaining support in Germany, with the Green Party and the Social Democratic Party advocating for similar measures.
The health policy spokesperson for the Green Party in the German Bundestag, Janosch Dahmen, has stated that a smoking ban in public areas, as planned in France, is the right step for Germany as well. Dahmen emphasized that in order to effectively protect children, one must make their daily environment smoke-free, including parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and the entrances to schools and sports facilities.
However, Dahmen believes that a ban alone is not enough, citing France’s more comprehensive approach, which includes higher tobacco taxes, sales restrictions outside of licensed shops and a ban on advertising and sponsorship. He argues that such measures are necessary not only for the protection of children, but also to address the significant financial burden of smoking-related illnesses on Germany’s healthcare system, which totals over 30 billion euros annually.
The SPD also plans to follow France’s example, with the party’s deputy parliamentary leader, Dagmar Schmidt, stating that the new smoking ban in France is a courageous step and should serve as a model for Germany. Schmidt emphasized that children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks of passive smoking, as they are exposed to the same air as adults, but their bodies are more sensitive to the effects of second-hand smoke.
Schmidt also noted that a similar legislative framework in Germany would not only improve air quality, but also contribute to the prevention of addiction by making smoking less visible and normalized in everyday life.