Initiative Underway: Nations Push for Prohibition of Smoking Inside Motor Vehicles
The German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg has estimated that approximately one million minors in Germany are exposed to tobacco smoke in cars, raising concerns about their health. In response, the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house of parliament, decided in March 2022 to submit a corresponding draft bill to the Bundestag, aiming to extend the non-smoking protection act.
For years, the Bundesrat has been considering a draft bill to address this issue. The concern is not unfounded, as studies show that minors whose parents smoke are more likely to develop liver tumors or leukemia. Furthermore, the tobacco smoke pollution in closed passenger compartments can reach several times that of a heavily smoked restaurant within a few minutes of smoking a single cigarette, making enclosed spaces particularly dangerous for children.
The draft bill, which originated from the office of the then health minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) in summer 2023, aims to extend the smoking ban to cars when children or pregnant women are present. However, the law amendment did not come about due to the change of government at the federal level in the last legislative period.
Currently, several German federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, have jointly submitted a proposal in the Bundesrat to implement this ban. If approved by the Bundesrat, the Bundestag must consider this initiative.
The proposal has been supported or recognized by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), but it has met with some skepticism within the CDU Bundestag faction. Health policy spokeswoman Simone Borchardt argues for broader prevention strategies beyond a specific car smoking ban.
It is important to note that passive smoking increases the risk of cancer in minors. Therefore, the proposed extension of the smoking ban to cars is a significant step towards protecting the health of Germany's youth. The debate continues, and the future of this legislation remains to be seen.
