Citizens' forum for non -smoking protection: Recommendations of the participants have been determined!

Citizens' forum for non -smoking protection: Recommendations of the participants have been determined!

The Citizens' Forum for Non-Smoking Protection in Baden-Württemberg is in full swing and promises to bring a breath of fresh air to the discussion about the state government's draft law. On July 4, 2025, the opening session under the direction of Manne Lucha, the Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Integration, took place. Recommendations for adjustments to the design are developed and then handed over to the state government. According to [Baden-wuerttemberg.de] (https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/alle-springungen/pid/buergererforum-zum-nichtrauchernutz- start), the forum is moderated and documented by an independent agency for Citizens' and Stakeholder-involvement.

How did this citizen forum come about? The approach is innovative: a randomly selected citizens' forum was launched to ensure broad participation. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration commissioned the Dialogical Citizens' Participation service, which began on July 22, 2024 with participation coping. The results of this scoping were supplemented by the votes of the public, which were recorded in a period of 774 comments and 37,186 reviews on the Baden-Württemberg participation portal. The topic map, which serves as the basis for further discussions, could be commented online from July 26 to August 16, 2024, reports Buerrgerrat.de.

The course of the Citizens' Forum

As part of the forum, experts from business, science and civil society are invited to contribute their perspectives and expertise. Another focus is on interactive formats: two digital sessions are planned in which keynote lectures take place and are discussed in small groups about thematic and comprehensive recommendations. At the end of the process there will be a writing workshop that should ensure that all formulated recommendations are consolidated and completed. For those citizens who cannot participate in the final meeting, alternative incorporations are intended so that everyone is heard.

Another important element of the discussion is the existing Federal Nutrack Protection Act. This was launched on July 20, 2007 and came into force on September 1, 2007. It regulates non -smoking protection in areas that the federal government is responsible in accordance with the Basic Law. A significant change in the law came into force on March 27, 2024, which now also includes smoking cannabis products as well as the use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in the ban on smoking, such as bundesgesundheitministerium.de informed.

an overall view of non -smoking protection

The Citizens' Forum is a step in the right direction to integrate the different perspectives and needs of citizens into legislation. The current discussion about non -smoking protection becomes more alive. The challenge remains to find a balance between the interests of health protection and individual freedom law. With the involvement of citizens and experts, the state government shows that the opinions of its citizens are important to it and that you want to listen to the different voices in order to shape a comprehensive and effective law. Here the citizens are challenged to get involved-because it is about the future of non-smoking protection in Baden-Württemberg.