Overview

• The number of heavy smokers in Germany grew by 47.5% between 2013 and 2023, according to KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse data.
• COPD, linked to smoking, affects 22.8% of heavy smokers nationwide, up from 19.5% a decade ago.
• Thüringen saw the steepest rise in smoking prevalence, doubling its number of heavy smokers over ten years.
• E-cigarettes and waterpipes are not safer alternatives, as they still pose significant risks to lung health, experts warn.
• Experts emphasize the importance of quitting smoking entirely, noting benefits for lung and cardiovascular health at any age.