Over fourteen percent of cancer cases can be attributed to smoking habits
In a concerning turn of events, Germany has been lagging behind in tobacco control and smoke-free protection, according to Federal Health Minister Nina Warken. This lack of progress has resulted in a significant health crisis, with cancer accounting for 42% of tobacco-related deaths in the country.
In 2023, approximately 131,000 people in Germany lost their lives due to smoking, as reported by the "Tobacco Atlas" by cancer experts. Lung cancer, linked to smoking, remains the most common type of cancer-related death in Germany.
The German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Aid, and the German Cancer Society have urged for consistent tobacco prevention measures, such as increasing tobacco tax. A 10 percent tax increase on tobacco is suggested as an effective measure to deter young people from smoking and motivate smokers to quit. This approach, coupled with advocating for a healthy lifestyle and regular preventive examinations, is proposed to address tobacco-related issues in Germany.
Minister Warken has emphasized the potential of cancer prevention, calling for a healthy lifestyle and regular preventive examinations to prevent around half of all cancer deaths. She believes that these measures, along with increased tobacco tax, could significantly reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths in the country.
However, the issue is not limited to cancer. Smoking is linked to at least 16 different types of cancer, including mouth, throat, larynx, colon, stomach, and esophagus cancer. Moreover, smokers have more than twice the risk of cardiovascular diseases and twice the risk of strokes.
There are significant regional differences in tobacco-related deaths, with lower rates among men in the south and lower rates among women in the eastern German states, except for Berlin. Nevertheless, more than every fourth adult in Germany smokes, making it the biggest preventable health risk in the country.
The number of tobacco-related deaths among women in Germany has been increasing, while decreasing among men. This trend underscores the urgent need for effective tobacco control and smoke-free protection measures, particularly in light of the growing number of women smokers.
As the fight against tobacco-related health issues continues, it is crucial for Germany to take decisive action. The proposed measures, including regular and significant increases in tobacco tax, healthy lifestyle promotion, and regular preventive examinations, offer a promising path forward in addressing this pressing health crisis.
