Cloak of Smoke

For a country that is known for being environmentally friendly, the amount that Germany’s population smokes seems illogical. Around 21% of Germany’s population over 15 are considered daily smokers, according to a study this year from the OECD. Considering how poorly smoking affects one’s health, it is further surprising that a nation with mandatory health care would have such a hefty chunk of it that smokes. Germany alone smoked more than 75 billion cigarettes last year. 

Cigarette butts are toxic and are commonly littered. Environmentalism is a fairly young movement in the eyes of the public. However, the age bracket of Germany’s population that smokes the most is aged 18-25. Germany is the only EU member to continue to allow advertising for cigarettes outdoors and in cinemas. Some governmental moves have been made, but the cigarette lobby in Germany holds substantial power. 

The other day I was in line to enter a pool along the Spree river in Berlin. A group of young adults in front of me finished their boxed wine and threw the container on the sidewalk. The German woman behind them in line spoke up, asking them to pick up their trash and dispose of it. Germans are passionate about their dislike of littering, fostered by their trash separation system and deposits for many plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans. How can a country so against littering leave cigarette butts lying all over?

Regardless of the history of the practice, I expected a lot more from the country with the stereotype of environmental friendliness. In many other regards, the German population is responsible and mindful, with cigarettes leaving a nasty streak on their otherwise green initiatives.