Smoke-free laws and direct democracy initiatives on smoking bans in Germany: a systematic review and quantitative assessment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Germany's 16 states regulate smoking differently within health protection principles laid down in the federal law. All state smoke-free laws in Germany have undergone at least one change since taking effect.

Methods

We systematically review federal and state laws regulating smoking, as well as petitions, popular initiatives and referenda that aimed at changing statutory smoking bans. Data generated through the systematic review were correlated with state smoking rates.

Results

The protection from the dangers of secondhand smoke is the primary motive for smoking bans in Germany. The first smoke-free laws affecting smoking in pubs, restaurants and several other public places were introduced in 2007. In 2008, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany ruled i

SUBMITTER: Kohler S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3924468 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature