Read articles from Germany

August 02, 2024 by medicalxpress.com

Scientists at Fraunhofer ITEM developed EVape, a device to test e-liquids' vaporization under controlled conditions, vital for toxicological assessments. E-cigarettes lack consistent temperature regulation, leading to varied emissions. EVape analyzes these emissions for toxicity, addressing unknown risks of heated ingredients and aiding in regulatory oversight. The system allows manufacturers to enhance e-liquid safety by identifying harmful substances pre-production, setting temperature limits, and monitoring emissions in real-time. The team aims to license EVape for broader use in labs and by regulatory bodies to ensure thorough testing of e-liquids before market circulation.

July 23, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

In Germany, 14.9 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds now smoke while just 2.3 per cent vape, new research reveals. While most countries have seen a decline in smoking with more people turning to vaping to quit the more dangerous habit, Germany has seen the opposite trend.

June 20, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

A new document supported by France, Germany, and other EU countries calls for a ban on flavors in nicotine products. To protect children, the paper asks for stricter regulations on marketing tobacco and nicotine on digital platforms. It will be discussed at an upcoming EU health ministers' meeting. The document urges the European Commission to propose measures to safeguard youth from the risks of tobacco and nicotine. It also suggests social media platforms take more responsibility for marketing these products. The paper contrasts with the European Parliament's support for vaping as a smoking cessation aid. This move has raised concerns, especially with France's involvement potentially impacting domestic politics.

March 29, 2024 by theguardian.com

Germany's cannabis reforms were approved this week, decriminalizing possession up to 25g, legalizing home growing, and setting a framework for non-profit associations to supply cannabis. The country's move echoes a global trend towards legalizing recreational cannabis, impacting over half a billion people. Germany initially planned a commercial market like Canada's but revised it to comply with international and EU laws. This shift towards "legalization-lite" mirrors reforms in Czech Republic and Luxembourg, influenced by Malta's non-commercial model.

February 29, 2024 by theguardian.com

Germany has legalized growing and holding limited amounts of cannabis for personal use, becoming one of the few countries to do so. Individuals can now cultivate up to three plants and possess up to 50g at home and 25g in public. The law aims to tackle the black market and protect young people, despite opposition concerns about increased drug use. The change, effective April 1, includes regulations on cannabis clubs and restrictions near educational institutions. This move makes Germany the third EU country to legalize cannabis, with implications for medicinal use globally and close monitoring of its impact expected.

July 10, 2023 by dw.com

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is pushing for a ban to prevent smoking in cars where minors and pregnant women are passengers, German media group RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) reported on Friday. 

RND, as well as other outlets, cited a draft by Lauterbach that will be coordinated with other ministries before he presents it to the Cabinet.

Smoking in cars is not currently illegal in Germany. The plan, which is part of Lauterbach's draft proposal to legalize cannabis, aims to expand the existing Non-Smokers Protection Act.

October 26, 2022 by reuters.com

Germany on Wednesday set out plans to legalise cannabis, in a move promised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government that would make it one of the first countries in Europe to make weed legal.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented a cornerstone paper on planned legislation to regulate the controlled distribution and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes among adults.

Acquiring and possessing up to 20 to 30 grams of recreational cannabis for personal consumption would also be made legal.

September 26, 2022 by bloomberg.com

British American Tobacco Plc has invested in German cannabis startup Sanity Group GmbH along with rapper Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital — the tobacco giant’s latest bet on pot as it diversifies beyond nicotine. Berlin-based Sanity secured $37.6 million in the BAT-led Series B funding round, according to founder and Chief Executive Officer Finn Age Hänsel. Nearly half of the amount will go toward strengthening Sanity’s medical business, while the company will spend the rest on preparing for the potential legalization of recreational marijuana in Germany. [...]

June 11, 2021 by iamexpat.de

Smokers - of both electronic cigarettes and the regular variety - will have to reach deeper into their pockets in the coming year, after the German Bundestag signed off a bill to raise taxes on cigarettes, e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters. On Friday morning, the Bundestag waved through legislation to make smoking in Germany more expensive as of next year - and the price hike is higher than was originally planned. Accordingly, the tobacco tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes will rise by an average of 10 cents in 2021. A year later, a further 10 cents will be added, and in both 2025 and 2026 another 15 cents per pack will be added. 

February 18, 2021 by bloombergtax.com

Smokers buying e-cigarette products in Germany could face higher taxes under a new proposal.

The German Finance Ministry on Tuesday released a draft lawthat would update tobacco taxes for the first time in a decade.

Under the proposal, e-cigarette substances containing nicotine would be taxed like tobacco starting July 1, 2022.
For 2022 and 2023, substances containing nicotine would be taxed at 0.02 euros per milligram of nicotine alkaloids. That would rise to 0.04 euros per milligram in 2024. [...]