According to the German voice, the German government is planning to limit the outdoor advertising of tobacco products. It is reported that Germany is the only EU country that still allows tobacco companies to widely publicize their products.
According to the new regulations, advertising of tobacco products is only allowed in tobacco shops. In cinemas, commercials for tobacco products can only be shown in films for adults (over 18 years old). Free distribution of tobacco samples will also be banned outside specialty stores.
Restrictions on outdoor advertising will be implemented in phases. They will apply for banning advertisements of tobacco products from January 1, 2022, from January 1, 2023, from tobacco heating devices, and from January 1, 2024, electronic cigarettes. The new regulations on tobacco advertising in cinemas are expected to take effect early this year.
Anti smoking activists have been pushing for stronger restrictions on advertising for a long time, but have met with strong opposition. Attempts to pass similar legislation in 2016 failed to get the support needed. The CDU / CDU coalition, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, has resisted stricter laws for years, but changed its position at the end of 2019.
Tobacco companies are concerned about the new legislation. Claudia Okin, managing director of Philip Morris International, suggests that without advertising, it is difficult to promote less harmful products to smokers.
It is estimated that in Germany, the tobacco industry spends 100 million euros (US $112 million) a year on cinemas and outdoor advertising.
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