Federal Council Reconsiders Ban on Smoking in Vehicles with Children
BERLIN – Germany’s Federal Council is revisiting proposed legislation too prohibit smoking in cars when children are present, possibly enacting stricter protections for young passengers. teh council will intentional on the measure following previous discussions and revisions aimed at balancing public health concerns with individual freedoms.
The renewed debate centers on safeguarding children from secondhand smoke exposure within the confined space of a vehicle. Advocates point to established health risks associated with such exposure, including respiratory illnesses and increased susceptibility to infections. If approved, the ban would apply to all vehicles carrying passengers under the age of 18, with potential penalties for violators.The legislation now moves to the budget committee for further review after the Bundestag completed the first round of consultations for the 2026 budget on September 26, 2025.
The Bundestag concluded its initial review of the 2026 budget today, September 26, 2025, with deliberations focusing on business, social affairs, economy, and energy sectors. The final round of discussions occurred around noon, preceding the transfer of individual budget plans to the budget committee for continued assessment.
