Proportion of young smokers rising fast in Germany

The proportion of young smokers in Germany has risen sharply in the last three years, according to a survey, reported dpa.

Eleven percent of 16- to 29-year-olds described themselves as regular smokers, compared to only 6% in 2020, the Funke media group reported on Sunday, on the basis of a Forsa survey commissioned by health insurance fund KKH.

According to the survey, 2% describe themselves as occasional smokers and 87% as non-smokers.

In the 30-49 age group, the proportion of regular smokers increased slightly from 19% to 21%, while among 50- to 69-year-olds, it fell from 23% to 19%.

Overall, 18% of over-16s are regular smokers, according to the survey.

Some 74% of women respondents described themselves as non-smokers, and 77% of men.

"The fact that young people, in particular are smoking more again, and regularly, is worrying," Michael Falkenstein, KKH expert on addiction issues, told the Funke newspapers.