German Government Plans Tobacco Tax Hike Criticized

The German federal government plans to increase the tobacco tax, a move that has drawn criticism from smokers. The author, a smoker, argues that the tax hike is a blow to smokers and could boost the black market. She suggests that if the increase is inevitable, the additional revenue should be used to strengthen the ailing healthcare system. Currently, a pack of cigarettes costs over nine euros, and by late summer, the price is expected to rise to ten euros. The author describes smoking as more of a pleasure than an addiction, noting that it enhances social moments like breaks with colleagues or evening relaxation. The piece is a gloss (opinion piece) published in der Freitag.