Assessing the health target "Reduce tobacco consumption"

The consortium gesundheitsziele.de has defined health targets and actions to reduce tobacco consumption of the general population. Five primary fields of action were defined: (1) tax increase, (2) ban of advertisements, (3) protection against second-hand smoking, (SHS) (4) support of smoking cessation, and (5) actions to avoid taking up smoking. The achievements in recent years are described by means of epidemiological studies and other specific data. (1) Tax increases led to a significant rise of cigarette prices. (2) A complete ban of advertisements has not yet been achieved. The tobacco industry shifted expenditures to fields where advertising is still allowed. (3) Many actions to foster protection against SHS could be implemented. Public awareness has been raised, the acceptance of smoking bans has grown, and exposure to SHS has been reduced. (4) Demand and supply of smoking cessation interventions have been enhanced. (5) Actions to avoid taking up smoking seem to be successful as the rate of smokers among young people has decreased, the number of never-smokers has increased, and a more critical attitude of non-smokers towards smoking could be observed. It is recommended that the above actions be continued because the capabilities of the structural, mass media, and behavioral interventions have not been fully exhausted.