Rauchen: Teure Zigaretten: Bundestag stimmt für höhere Tabaksteuer

In Berlin, the price of cigarettes in Germany is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. The Bundestag, supported by coalition parties from the Union and SPD, voted in favor of a law amendment to gradually increase the tobacco tax. This tax increase will be passed on to consumers, potentially increasing the price of a 20-cigarette pack from around eight euros to nearly twelve euros by 2030.

Fine-cut cigarettes, suitable for self-rolling, will also see a substantial price hike compared to the current rate. The German government hopes to generate an additional 12 billion euros in tax revenue within four years. However, the tobacco industry is skeptical, fearing that smokers may turn to the black market and negatively impact legal retailers.

In Germany, millions of people smoke, with a 19 percent smoking rate among individuals aged 15 and above, according to the 2025 Mikrozensus. The federal government justified the law amendment with necessary budget consolidation and health protection. The German Cancer Research Center reported that around 131,000 people in Germany died in 2023 due to tobacco-related diseases.

Health experts believe that higher prices can effectively encourage smokers to quit. The legislative process for the tobacco tax ends on Friday in the Bundesrat, with the Landtag having the option to challenge the amendment, but no indication of this so far. Therefore, it is expected that the Bundesrat will approve the proposal, making the tax increase a reality.