Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Germany

Germany: Federal drugs commissioner Burkhard Blienert has called for further restrictions on tobacco and nicotine advertising and sponsorship. He said: “Existing gaps in advertising regulation must be addressed through bans: for example, point of sale advertising, free distribution of tobacco heaters and e-cigarettes, cinema advertising...and sponsorship of festivals by the nicotine industry.”

Germany: Burkhard Blienert, federal commissioner for addiction and drugs, told an annual reception in Berlin that it is “urgently necessary to close existing gaps” in the areas of advertising and sponsorship of nicotine and tobacco. He did not specify any products, or any measures to be taken.

Germany: In answer to a question put by Bundestag member Rita Hagl-Kehl of the governing Social Democratic Party (SPD), state secretary Ophelia Nick said the commissioner for addiction and drug issues, Burkhard Blienert, had announced that he would work to restrict tobacco advertising and that existing regulations on the marketing and sponsorship of nicotine would be reviewed.

Germany: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment have notified through the European Commission’s TRIS database an ordinance on the tax rates and points system for the disposable plastics fund, which affects tobacco filters containing plastic. The ordinance sets an annual fee of €8,972 per kg. The standstill period ends on 30th August.

Germany: Federal drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert has called for stricter rules on tobacco advertising, after a survey of 1,383 people conducted by the Federal Drug Commission found that three-quarters supported a complete ban. “The overpresence of large-scale advertising for alcohol, for tobacco and e-cigarettes at kiosks and petrol stations, and for gambling on television, is a major problem for Germany’s consumer protection, youth and health policies,” Blienert said. “Politicians can’t ignore that any longer.”

Germany: The federal government has approved a draft third amendment to the Tobacco Products Act, which will transpose into national law the flavour ban for heated tobacco products imposed by EU Directive 2022/2100. The draft will now be submitted to the Bundestag. Kristine Lütke of the government-coalition Free Democratic Party told reporters the amended law should also cover nicotine pouches. “A high level of consumer protection can be guaranteed with a differentiated regulation of the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco-free nicotine pouches,” she said.