Some 20% of Germans smoke, but Gen Alpha doesn't seem to be into it

Even though restrictions on smoking have been significantly tightened in recent decades, a significant share of Germans continues to smoke, though it appears to be increasingly unpopular among younger generations, according to official figures.

A total of 19.1% of people from the age of 15 smoked at least occasionally last year, the federal statistical office said, citing its annual representative survey of German households.

This was slightly up from 2021, when 18.9% of those questioned said they smoke at least from time to time.

Some 78% said they smoke cigarettes, while 9.2% prefer e-cigarettes, according to the statement.

More men were found to smoke, at 22.4%, compared to 15.8% of women.

Smoking was most common for the 40 to 44 age group, where the overall share stood at 26% last year.

This was followed by 45- to 49-year-olds with 25,5%.

Gen Alpha - often defined as those born between the early 2010s and the 2020s - appeared to be less interested in smoking, with only 5% of 15- to 17-year-olds saying they smoke.

The same applied to people 75 years and older, where 5.5% were found to smoke.

The sale of cigarettes and e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18 is banned in Germany. They are also not allowed to smoke in public.

Smoking is banned in restaurants and bars in a few German states, while others, including Berlin, allow smoking in bars smaller than 75 square metres if they don't have a separate smoking area.