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This table includes additional information to the above visualized indicators, i.e. a short definition of this indicator and a description of the politically determined target values as well as explaining the political intention behind selecting this indicator.

Definition (Text from the Indicator Report 2022 - State 31.10.2022)

The smoking rate among adolescents (3.1.c) reflects the share of 12 to 17-year-olds who indicate that they smoke regularly or occasionally. The smoking rate among adults (3.1.d) indicates the share of those surveyed aged 15 and above who answered the questions in the microcensus regarding smoking behaviour and who smoke regularly or occasionally.
Definition

Indicator 3.1.c shows the smoking rate of adolescents (12 to 17-year-olds) (in per cent) who state that they smoke occasionally or constantly. Indicator 3.1.d looks at adults (aged 15 and over) who answered the questions on smoking behaviour in the microcensus and who smoke occasionally or regularly.
Intention

Smoking can lead to considerable damage to health and premature death. Smokers are not the only ones affected by these risks. Non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke are not only bothered by the smoke, but can also fall ill from it.
Target

3.1.c: Reduction to 7 per cent by 2030
3.1.d: Reduction to 19 per cent by 2030
Type of target

3.1.c: Goal with a specific target value
3.1.d: Goal with a specific target value
Implemen­tation in weather symbol calculation

By 2030, the smoking rate among young people (3.1.c) is to be reduced to a maximum of 7 per cent and the smoking rate among adults (3.1.d) to a maximum of 19 per cent.


Based on the target formulation, the politically defined target for indicator 3.1.c was already achieved ahead of schedule for the years 2021 and 2023. In accordance with the underlying assessment methodology, it is also considered whether the average development over the last six years shows no deterioration. This was fulfilled for indicator 3.1.c for the year 2023, so it is rated as “Sun”. The same applies to indicator 3.1.d for 2021.
Assessment

3.1.c: Weathersymbol: Sun
3.1.d: Weathersymbol: Sun
Data state

15.01.2025

3.1.c, d Smoking rate among adolescents and adults

Data on smoking prevalence among adolescents aged 12 to 17 is collected through substance use surveys conducted by the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Initially, these surveys were carried out every three to four years; since 2001, they have been conducted every one to two years. To ensure comparability over time, results are weighted by gender, region, and age. The 2023 sample comprised 7,001 adolescents.

Data on smoking prevalence among adults aged 15 and over is derived from the Microcensus conducted by the Federal Statistical Office, which is carried out every four years. The Microcensus is the largest household survey in both Germany and Europe and is based on a 1% sample of the total population. Information on smoking behaviour is provided voluntarily, with 65% of respondents doing so in 2021.

Among adolescents, the proportion of smokers initially rose from 22.5% in 2003 to 23.5% in 2004, but has since declined almost continuously, reaching a historic low of 6.1% in 2021. In 2023, a slight increase to 6.8% was observed (6.4% among females and 7.2% among males). The politically defined target for 2030 has thus already been undercut in this age group.

Among the adult population, 18.9% reported occasional or regular smoking in 2021 – a marked decrease from 27.4% in 2003. As a result, the politically set target for 2030 was met for the first time already in 2021. Of the adult smokers, 14.5% were regular and 4.4% occasional smokers. Women smoked significantly less frequently than men, with a prevalence of 15.7% compared to 22.3%, respectively. Since 2003, the proportion of female smokers declined by 6.4 percentage points, and that of male smokers by 10.9 percentage points.

In 2021, 85.4% of adult smokers preferred cigarettes. The health risk increases with the intensity of tobacco consumption. Among regular cigarette smokers, 10.8% were classified as heavy smokers – defined as consuming more than 20 cigarettes per day – compared to 16.3% in 2003. An additional 76.3% smoked between 5 and 20 cigarettes daily. There were notable gender differences: one in seven male regular cigarette smokers was a heavy user, compared to only one in fifteen among female smokers.

Smoking constitutes a significant yet preventable health risk. In 2023, 4.5% of all deaths were attributable to typical smoking-related diseases, including lung, bronchial, laryngeal, and tracheal cancers (females: 3.6%, males: 5.4%). The average age at death from these conditions was 72.0 years in 2023, which is seven years below the average age at death across all causes (79.1 years). A declining smoking rate can therefore make a substantial contribution to reducing premature mortality (see also Indicator 3.1.a "Mortality preventable through prevention and treatment").