Debate about smoking in Bremen: Follow France or not?

Debate about smoking in Bremen: Follow France or not?

Bremen, Deutschland - Bremen faces a crucial step in the debate about smoking, because opinions about a possible tightening of the non -smoking protection law are louder. Current surveys show that a significant part of the population welcomes an adaptation of the law based on the French model. In Bremen, 22.7 % of the population is currently smoking, which is above the national average of 18.9 %, which underlines the urgency of the topic, as Butenunbinnen.de

While in France from July 1, 2025, smoking in public places such as parks, schools and beaches will be completely banned, the situation in Bremen remains unchanged for the time being. Health department Bremen is currently not planning an effective tightening of the existing non-smoking protection law, which has been in place to protect against passive smoking in closed rooms since 2007, so ButUnunbinnen.de . In addition, smoking is already prohibited in educational institutions and dormitories. There are similar regulations in Lower Saxony, but overall the regulations for smoking outdoors are rather lax.

The French model

In France, the ban on smoking was announced by Health Minister Catherine Vautrin to protect children and to use a smoke -free generation. Especially in schools and near playgrounds, smoking is to be restricted rigorously, which also has the intention of reducing excessive consumption among young people. This is also evidenced by the figures: In 2023, almost 16 % of the 17-year-olds stated that there were twice as many as reported.

in Germany, especially in Bremen, there is currently resistance to the enforcement of the law. Gastronomist Nathalie Rübsteck believes that adapting the non -smoking protection law is not necessary and doubts the practicality of such measures. It refers to the actual implementation of the existing regulations.

Current situation and possible consequences

A look at the past few years also shows that a total of 13 violations of the non -smoking protection law were registered in Bremen in 2024, while there were 7 violations so far in 2025. In the event of violations, fines between 500 and 2,000 euros can be imposed, which underlines the seriousness of the topic. In Lower Saxony, the penalties with 5 to 1,000 euros are significantly lower, but less painful sanctions can endanger the enforcement of the regulations.

Another urgent problem is pollution by thrown away cigarette stems, which is not adequately checked in Bremen. In the future, this could lead to further discussions about the meaning and nonsense of the current regulations, since smokers face challenges on how the government wants to deal with it.

With the introduction of new laws in France, the pressure on Bremen will grow to also think about an adaptation of the regulations. The long -term goal of involving the population in the fight against smoking and its consequences is thus again on the agenda. In a country in which 75,000 deaths are directly connected to smoking, the WHO also sees a need for action to reduce this number. Measures with which the dangers of passive smoking are pointed out are therefore still very popular, such as Federal Ministry of Ministry.de