Experts on cancer advocate for safeguards: Propose higher taxes on tobacco products - Experts urge tobacco tax hike for cancer prevention
During the Cancer Prevention Week 2023, German cancer researchers and the German Cancer Aid emphasised the harmful effects of smoking and vaping as one of the main preventable causes of cancer. Professor Michael Baumann, chairman of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, made this statement at the start of the national event.
According to the current tobacco atlas, smoking is the most important preventable cancer risk factor. It accounts for around 42 percent of deaths attributable to smoking, with cancer being the leading cause. Cardiovascular diseases follow closely, accounting for about a third, and respiratory diseases account for a quarter.
The smoking rate in Germany is significant, with almost every fifth cancer diagnosis being attributable to smoking. This corresponds to about every seventh death (13.7 percent) in Germany. Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) described smoking as the greatest preventable health risk in Germany.
Professor Baumann highlighted that not smoking or quitting smoking is already the most important preventive measure against the development of lung cancer. Notably, the smoking rate in Australia has dropped to ten percent due to measures like the annual increase in tobacco tax.
The development of tobacco-related deaths reflects the development of smoking among men and women over the past decades: while the numbers are continuously increasing for women, they are decreasing for men. In 2023, around 131,000 people in Germany died from the health consequences of smoking, according to the tobacco atlas of the DKFZ.
Experts suggest that the tobacco tax should be regularly and significantly increased to deter young people from smoking and motivate smokers to quit. This strategy has proven effective, as seen in Australia's success in reducing its smoking rate.
During the Cancer Prevention Week, specific detailed measures to reduce smoking and vaping were not explicitly listed. However, the focus was on raising awareness about the harmful effects of these habits. As the fight against cancer continues, it is crucial to promote preventive measures and encourage a healthier lifestyle for all.
