A recent survey conducted by Forsa, commissioned by the magazine Stern and RTL, found that a majority of Germans support an increase in tobacco prices. Specifically, 70 percent of respondents view the planned increase in tobacco tax favorably, while 27 percent oppose it.
Under the current plan, cigarette prices are set to rise in several stages. A pack containing 20 cigarettes is currently priced at 8 euros but is slated to cost over 9 euros starting in 2027. By 2030, the price of a pack could climb to almost 12 euros, representing an increase of roughly 40 cents compared to current estimates.
The tax hikes are not limited to cigarettes; the taxes on alternative products, such as e-cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, and cigarillos, are also scheduled to increase.
Government authorities argue that the tobacco tax increase serves a dual purpose: consolidating the budget and protecting public health. Policymakers aim to use the higher prices to reduce the prevalence of smoking among both adults and young people. Smoking is recognized as one of the most common preventable causes of death in Germany. Health advocates have long pushed for significantly higher prices as a deterrent and a means to help people quit addiction. This planned increase in tobacco tax could generate an additional 800 million euros annually for the state coffers.
Support for making smoking more expensive appears widespread across the political spectrum, with majority support coming from members of CDU/CSU, SPD, the Greens, and The Left. Opposition to the price increases is primarily voiced by regular smokers and supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Forsa carried out the poll among 1,005 Germans on July 9 and 10, 2026.
