Youth Smoking in Germany Rises Sharply, Flavored Products Blamed

Germany is witnessing a concerning surge in adolescent smoking, with a new drug affinity study revealing that 9.3% of girls and 9.7% of boys aged 12 to 17 consider themselves smokers or occasional smokers in 2025. This marks a 57% increase since 2021, a trend that has alarmed public health officials.

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It is far more than a statistical uncertainty or a temporary fluctuation: According to the new drug affinity study by the Federal Institute for Public Health, almost one in ten 12- to 17-year-olds in 2025 describe themselves as smokers or occasional smokers: 9.3 percent of girls and 9.7 percent of boys.

While the current figures are still lower than the peak of 28% in 1997, the recent upward swing reverses a decades-long decline. Health experts point to the increasing availability and appeal of flavored tobacco products, such as those mimicking popular drinks and candies like Coca-Cola, Strawberry-Kiwi, and Salted Caramel, as a significant factor driving this resurgence among young people.

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Overall, that is 57 percent more than in 2021.

The data from the Federal Institute for Public Health highlights a critical public health challenge. The rise in youth smoking not only poses immediate health risks but also sets the stage for long-term addiction and associated health problems. Authorities are now grappling with how to address this trend and protect a new generation from the dangers of tobacco.

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We are therefore, compared to then, still doing well and are back at the 2015 level today.