Germany's €11.40 cigarette price hike by 2030 sparks health debate

The German government is planning a gradual rise in tobacco taxes. By 2030, the average price of a cigarette pack could reach around €11.40. Health experts and officials are pushing for even sharper increases to discourage smoking. Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck has backed higher tobacco taxes as a key public health measure. He argues that price hikes effectively reduce smoking rates, particularly among young people.

Andreas Gassen, chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, has called for a steep rise in the cost of tobacco and alcohol. He pointed out that Germany’s life expectancy lags behind the EU average due to unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking. Gassen even suggested setting the price of a cigarette pack at €20 to deter young smokers.

Jakob Maske, a board member of the Professional Association of Pediatricians, supports doubling cigarette prices. He also proposed increasing the cost of vapes to combat youth smoking. According to Maske, 8 to 9 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds in Germany currently smoke. The government’s plan aims to raise pack prices to €11.40 by 2030. Health advocates want even tougher measures to cut smoking rates. Their proposals include significant price hikes for cigarettes and vapes to protect young people’s health.