Increase in Heavier Smokers: A Significant Rise by Nearly Double Since 2013 - Significant surge in smoking rate noted, with a near doubling since 2013 records.
Germany Witnesses Nearly 50% Increase in Excessive Smokers Over a Decade
Over the past ten years, a concerning trend has emerged in Germany: a marked rise in the number of excessive tobacco users, as per data from health insurance companies. Nearly one in four of these smokers are afflicted by a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that often stems from smoking.
According to KKH Commercial Health Insurance, the number of tobacco-dependent individuals among their insured has surged by 47.5% since 2013. Experts estimate that around six million people across Germany were receiving medical treatment in 2023 due to tobacco addiction or withdrawal symptoms.
The prevalence of COPD among excessive smokers has also risen. In 2023, 22.8% of these smokers were affected by COPD, compared to 19.5% in 2013. Michael Falkenstein, an expert on addiction issues, emphasizes that the cessation of smoking is the most effective measure to combat the disease.
The KKH based its study on data from 1.66 million insured individuals, of whom approximately 118,000 were classified as excessive smokers. This equates to a 7.1% share in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2013.
Regional variations exist. In Lower Saxony, the number of tobacco addicts increased by 39% between 2013 and 2023, with around 621,000 people receiving medical treatment in 2023. The share of heavy smokers among the insured rose from 5.9% to 8.2%. In 2023, 22.8% of excessive smokers were also affected by COPD, up from 19.7% in 2013.
It's worth noting that the provided figures represent only a fraction of the larger issue, as Falkenstein notes: "Our figures only represent the tip of the iceberg, as we can only evaluate cases where a tobacco dependence has been medically diagnosed." Passive smoking and exposure to high levels of chemicals and dust also contribute to the risk of COPD.
Vaping is not necessarily a safer alternative, as Falkenstein highlights. "The belief that e-cigarettes and water pipes are less harmful alternatives to conventional cigarettes persists. However, this belief is misguided. Substances detrimental to lung health are also inhaled through vaping."
The situation in Thuringia seems particularly dire, with a 99.6% increase in tobacco addicts compared to ten years ago, while Hamburg saw the smallest increase, at around 26%. Saarland recorded the highest share of excessive smokers with COPD in 2023, with 26.1% of heavy smokers affected.
Quitting smoking at any age offers benefits, Falkenstein stresses. "Even those who quit smoking after the age of 60 significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases within a few years." There is no such thing as safe smoking, not even limited to one cigarette a day, as it still increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- In response to the rise in excessive smoking and its related medical-conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), German communities are implementing stringent community policy measures regarding tobacco usage, promoting vocational training programs on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health to help smokers quit and improve their nutrition.
- To combat the increased prevalence of COPD as a result of excessive smoking, vocational training programs focused on respiratory-conditions have been introduced in Germany, teaching individuals about the dangers of smoking and offering strategies for quitting, as well as techniques for managing the symptoms of COPD.
- Additionally, experts are emphasizing the importance of addressing the mental-health challenges that often come with smoking cessation, and vocational training programs are integrating components to support smokers in managing stress and maintaining motivation to quit.
- As a part of their efforts to curb excessive smoking and promote health-and-wellness, some German communities are implementing policies that discourage vaping as a perceived safer alternative, as it too is harmful to lung health, and can exacerbate respiratory-conditions like COPD.
