Recording available! Planetary Health Dialogue: Tobacco regulation — protecting lives and the environment
*** Hinweis: Die Veranstaltung fand auf Englisch statt. Daher ist der folgende Text ebenfalls auf Englisch verfasst ***
In the June edition of our Planetary Health Dialogues, we looked at tobacco regulation through a planetary health lens. Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of premature death and chronic disease, but its impact extends far beyond human health: the tobacco industry is also a major driver of environmental degradation, from deforestation and water pollution to plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Together with our guests Prof Dr Hendrik Streeck, Commissioner of the Federal Government for Drug and Addiction Policy & Member of Federal Parliament, and Dr Judith Mackay, an internationally renowned tobacco control advocate, we discussed on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 how effective tobacco regulation can be strengthened in Germany and how it can contribute to both public health and environmental sustainability. What political and societal levers need to be activated to curb the influence of the tobacco industry, protect human health, and reduce its ecological footprint?
We explored current developments in tobacco regulation and international best practices, and asked: How can evidence-based measures—such as advertising bans, tax increases, and public awareness campaigns—be consistently implemented in Germany? The discussion also highlighted the environmental co-benefits of tobacco control, including reduced deforestation, less plastic pollution from cigarette filters.
Key questions included:
- How can tobacco prevention and health equity be linked, especially for vulnerable groups, while also contributing to ecological sustainability?
- What lessons can Germany learn from international success stories in tobacco control, and how do these align with planetary health goals?
- How can policy-makers effectively counter the tobacco industry’s strategies to implement prevention measures that benefit both health and the environment?
- What role do education, regulation, and public pressure play in addressing the dual health and environmental harms of tobacco?
The webinar was moderated by Nicole Stauf.
The recording is now available:
Tobacco regulation — protecting lives and the environment” was the 28th event of the CPHP webinar series ‘Planetary Health Dialogues’, a monthly exchange with German and international scientists, policy makers and civil society actors to jointly develop ideas for a paradigm shift towards equity, health and well-being within planetary boundaries.