The Bundesrat approved the far-reaching ban on tobacco advertising after the Bundestag passed it in July, an official press release said.

The ban on outdoor advertising, such as on billboards or bus stops, is to be implemented in phases. It will apply from 2022 for conventional tobacco products, 2023 for heat-not-burn devices, and 2024 for e-cigarettes. From 2021 onwards, tobacco commercials in cinemas may only be shown in movies that are not aimed at young people under 18 years of age. The distribution of free tobacco samples outside of specialist shops will also no longer be allowed.
“It is done! I am very pleased that we have finally managed to put an end to tobacco advertising. There is no doubt that advertising works, and by banning it we are protecting children and young people in particular from the false signals sent by the tobacco industry. The fact that e-cigarettes and vaporisers are included was a matter of great concern to me from the outset,” the Federal Government Commissioner for Drugs, Daniela Ludwig, was quoted as saying.