According to a study, several million people in Germany are addicted and thousands die every year from the consequences of alcohol consumption and smoking. According to the latest available figures, around 99,000 deaths in the year through smoking and about 47,500 deaths can be assumed through alcohol consumption. This is reported by the managing director of the German Center for Addiction questions (DHS), Christina Rummel, on the publication of the “DHS Yearbook Search 2025”.
At least one fifth of the population drinks too much alcohol
“Germany has an alcohol problem,” says addiction researcher Jakob Manthey from the German Press Agency. It can be assumed that more than one fifth of the population consumes alcohol in risky to addictive levels. About nine percent of the population between the ages of 18 and 64 had abuse or dependence on alcohol. The large age group from the age of 65 upwards has not yet been included, even the younger ones under the age of 18 not.
Alcohol is a toxic substance
“Alcohol A cell poison and the core question is: How do we deal with this toxic substance,” describes the scientist, co -author of the yearbook. “The best thing is abstinence, but every reduction also helps. It makes a difference whether I drink three beer or two.” Not good: alcohol can be advertised almost without restriction in Germany.
The expert from Hamburg is relatively constant for the past few years of estimated 45,000 deaths as a result of alcohol consumption. Chronic drinking increases the risks for numerous diseases – which are certain of certain cancer, heart problems and cirrhosis. In addition, there are accidents as a result of alcohol at the wheel or violent offenses.
“Prices for O-juice rise, for vodka not”
In Germany, the prices for alcoholic beverages have risen significantly less than for food in the past 20 years than for food. As a younger example, Rummel adds: “The orange juice is already expensive, the price for the bottle of vodka remains stable.” Alcohol is not as affordable in any other European country as in Germany.
The DHS sees fatal consequences here: in addition to the high number of illnesses and deaths, alcohol also causes economic follow -up costs of around 57 billion euros a year. And a lot of suffering for the social environment of those affected. Rummel complains that there are effective countermeasures, which would not be tackled. In addition to increased prevention and investments in addiction aid, alcoholic beverages via consumption tax should become more expensive.
Even a smaller price-plus could have a bigger impact
Germany is “as bad as hardly any other country worldwide,” criticizes scientists Manthey. This “very effective set screw” has not been turned for decades. The beer prices are too low, no consumption tax is levied on wine. The state also misses taxes in billions.
If alcoholic beverages were five percent more expensive on average, per capita consumption would decrease by 2.2 percent and 850 alcohol-related deaths can be avoided a year, the addiction researcher calculates as a model. The state would take additional 1.4 billion euros in taxes.
Smoking also sees the addiction report with concern
According to the report, more than 30 percent of the adult population smoked last year. In adolescents under the age of 18, this proportion is significantly lower and somewhat lower for young adults. “Overall, the numbers are too high, that is not discussed enough,” says the managing director of the DHS. When it comes to tobacco consumption, economic consequences of 97 billion euros per year should be accepted.
Conventional cigarettes are more “old school” for young people, observes Rummel. “What worries us are related nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and tobacco heater.” Even if this was “only” used in 2024 of 3.2 percent of the people from the age of 14.
According to DHS, around eight million people in Germany are addicted. In the “Yearbook 2025” area, among other things, it says: “In many places, in cities and municipalities, it is currently observed that crack and highly effective synthetic opioids like fentanyl appear in the local drug scenes.” Fentanyl has many times stronger than heroin.
“Addiction and drug issues must be at the top of a health policy urgency scale,” the DHS demands in Hamm. The new federal government is asked to enforce the enormous challenges. The coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD is “definitely expandable given the drama of the problem,” says Rummel.
Expert Manthey looks at the youth of alcohol with some optimism: “I have hope with a view to the current young generation, which drinks significantly less than the older ones. There could be social change.”
