Germany Enacts Stricter E‑cigarette Driving Rules and Raises Tobacco Tax

The Cologne Higher Regional Court (OLG Köln) ruled on 25 September 2025 that using an e‑cigarette equipped with a touch‑screen while driving falls under the electronic‑device prohibition of § 23(1a) of the German Road Traffic Order. The court treats the act like handheld‑phone use, imposing a €150 fine and a penalty point for the driver.

Separately, the German government has announced a staged increase in tobacco tax. The price of a cigarette pack is set to rise from roughly €8 to €11.78 by 2030, with up to €6.19 of the price earmarked for the state treasury. The reform is projected to generate about €800 million extra revenue per year while also aiming to curb smoking rates, though officials warn it could fuel a black‑market trade in illegal cigarettes.