Proportionate income spent on nicotine and tobacco products and the use of untaxed cigarettes in Germany: findings from a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Nearly one in three adults in Germany smokes tobacco, with higher rates among those with lower educational attainment. This contributes to a disproportionate financial burden on low-income households, which spend a larger share of their income on tobacco. Rising prices may exacerbate this: the average price per cigarette rose from 30 cents in 2020 to 36 cents in 2024. However, not all cigarettes consumed in Germany are taxed, often due to cross-border purchases or illicit trade. Data on the extent of this issue remains limited. This paper examines (1) household expenditures on these products relative to income and (2) the consumption of untaxed cigarettes.

Methods

We analysed data from the German Study on Tobacco Use (DEBRA, Deutsche Befragung zum Rauchverhalten

SUBMITTER: Klosterhalfen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12718581 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature