A 2025 nationwide survey by the German Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) reveals that smoking among adolescents aged 12 to 17 rose to 9.6%, up from 6.1% in 2021. While adolescent smoking remains below 2001 peaks, this recent increase coincides with an expanding market for reusable e-cigarettes loaded with nicotine.
- Adolescent Rebound: Smoking rates among 12- to 17-year-olds climbed from 6.1% in 2021 to 9.6% in 2025.
- Young Adult Trends: Smoking among young adults aged 18 to 25 continued its long-term decline, settling at 26.3%.
- Rise of Reusable Vapes: Reusable e-cigarette experimentation reached 14.2% among teens and 35.1% among young adults, with over 90% using nicotine liquids.
Adolescent smoking in Germany has recorded an increase after decades of steady decline, climbing to 9.6% in 2025 after hitting a low of 6.1% in 2021. According to representative data collected from 7,001 respondents by the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), this upward shift parallels an increase in the use of refillable electronic cigarettes.
Tracking Adolescent Smoking Rates from 2001 to 2025
The BIÖG survey, which has monitored substance consumption across Germany since 1973, indicates that current youth smoking rates are still lower than two decades ago. In 2001, more than a quarter of all 12- to 17-year-olds smoked combustible cigarettes. However, recent data confirms that progress has stalled since 2021.
Among teenage boys, the smoking rate stood at 9.7% in 2025, compared to 27.2% in 2001. The proportion of teenage boys who have never smoked reached 83.6% in 2025, more than double the 41.6% reported in 2001. A matching trajectory exists among teenage girls: smoking prevalence dropped from 27.9% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2021, before climbing back to 9.3% in 2025.
| Demographic Group | 2001 Smoking Rate | 2021 Smoking Rate | 2025 Smoking Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys (Ages 12–17) | 27.2% | N/A | 9.7% |
| Girls (Ages 12–17) | 27.9% | 6.8% | 9.3% |
| All Adolescents (Ages 12–17) | >25.0% | 6.1% | 9.6% |
| Young Adults (Ages 18–25) | 44.5% | N/A | 26.3% |
Young Adult Patterns Show Gender Disparities
Smoking remains more widespread among young adults aged 18 to 25 than among adolescents, with 26.3% reporting active use in 2025. Young men smoke at higher rates (31.0%) than young women (21.0%).
Despite these numbers, the long-term trend in this bracket points downward. In 2001, 46.7% of young men and 42.2% of young women smoked. Over the same timeframe, the share of young adults who have never smoked increased, reaching 43.0% for men and 51.6% for women in 2025.
Reusable E-Cigarettes Overtake Disposables
While traditional tobacco use fluctuates, alternative delivery systems have gained market share. Reusable e-cigarettes recorded distinct consumption increases between 2023 and 2025 across all surveyed youth demographics:
- Adolescent Usage: 14.2% of 12- to 17-year-olds have used a reusable e-cigarette.
- Young Adult Usage: 35.1% of 18- to 25-year-olds have used a reusable device.
- Nicotine Density: Over 90% of reusable vape consumers utilized nicotine-containing e-liquids in 2025.
In contrast, disposable e-cigarette use remained stable or declined, while heated tobacco devices remained uncommon among younger demographics.
