Passive smoking is damaging to your health. In Germany, passive smoking is the cause of death of about 3,000 people annualy. Secondhand smoke contains the same substances as regular smoke, tough, depending on the environment in a different composition.
11.3% of non- smoking adults in Germany are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. This number is the highest among young people between the age of 18 to 29, for men 26.8% and for women 19.8%.
Men mostly encounter tobacco smoke at work, in restaurants or among friends and acquaintances. Women are mostly exposed to passive smoking at home and among friends and acquaintances.
Passive smoking is especially dangerous for children, because they have a higher breathing frequency and a less effective detoxification system, which is why they need extra protection from passive smoking.
The protection of non-smokers is regulated differently in each state of Germany. Strict and consistent regulations would further protect people from the dangers of passive smoking. Banning advertisement would lead to less people smoking and especially prevent children and young people from smoking. Because unfortunately, we are still far away from a non-smoking world.
Click here to read more: SDG Factsheet No. 4 Tobacco Decent Work