Twelve euros for 20 cigarettes – smoking is becoming much more expensive
Quick Look
- The Bundestag has decided to increase the tobacco tax, which will increase the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes from currently around eight euros to almost twelve euros by 2030.
- The federal government expects additional tax revenue of around twelve billion euros within four years.
- The Federal Council still has to approve the law, although no objection is currently expected.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The tobacco tax in Germany will be gradually increased as part of an amendment to the law in order to support budget consolidation and improve health protection. The 2025 microcensus showed that 19 percent of people aged 15 and over in Germany are smokers.
Cigarettes are likely to become significantly more expensive in Germany in the coming years. The Bundestag voted for an amendment to the law that will gradually increase the tobacco tax in the coming years. The votes of the coalition factions from the Union and SPD were enough for this.
Since this tax levy is passed on to customers, the price is expected to rise from currently a good eight euros per pack of 20 cigarettes to just under twelve euros in 2030. Fine-cut cigarettes - i.e. cigarettes that you roll yourself - will also be significantly more expensive than currently.
Twelve billion additional tax revenues
The federal government is hoping for additional tax revenue of around 12 billion euros within four years. But the tobacco industry has doubts about this - it fears that smokers will turn to the black market and legal dealers will suffer losses. Millions of people in Germany turn to tobacco cigarettes. The 2025 microcensus showed that 19 percent of those aged 15 and over smoked.
The federal government justified the amendment to the law with the necessary budget consolidation and health protection. According to the German Cancer Research Center, around 131,000 people in Germany died as a result of tobacco-related diseases in 2023. Health experts believe higher prices are an effective measure to encourage smokers to quit.
The Federal Council still has to agree
The legislative process for tobacco tax ends on Friday in the Federal Council. The state chamber has the opportunity to object to the amendment to the law, but there is no sign of this so far. It is therefore expected that the Federal Council will approve the project and that the tax increase will be a done deal.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The price for a pack of 20 cigarettes will rise to just under twelve euros by 2030.
Likely · Within years
The federal government will generate additional tax revenue of around twelve billion euros within four years.
Possible · Within years
Open Questions
- Exactly how much will the annual tobacco tax increase be?
- What specific measures is the government planning to counteract evasion on the black market?
