Increased smoking restrictions proposed in BW, causing a tobacco lobbyist to question the legitimacy of a public forum advocating for smoking protection
In the heart of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg is leading the way in involving citizens in its decision-making process. One of the key initiatives in this regard is the establishment of citizen forums, which provide a platform for the public to voice their opinions on various policy matters.
One such forum, the citizen forum on smoking ban recommendations, has recently made headlines. This forum, comprising around 50 participants, has been tasked with developing recommendations on the implementation of smoking bans in the state. The participants find the government's draft law insufficient and have recommended more stringent smoking bans, including prohibiting smoking in places where many people gather in close quarters, such as beer gardens, outdoor dining, public pools, sports facilities, and festival tents.
However, the tobacco industry has not been silent on this matter. Jan Mücke, CEO of the Federal Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE), has criticised the concept of the citizen forum. Mücke, a former parliamentary business manager of the FDP Bundestag fraction, questions the reliability of the citizen forum's recommendations, arguing that it does not represent society as a whole. He suggests that a second selection of citizens could result in a completely different composition, implying the citizen forum's unreliability.
It's important to note that the citizen forum on smoking ban recommendations is not the final decision-making body for smoking ban laws in Baden-Württemberg. The recommendations from this forum, along with other factors, will be considered when deciding on smoking ban laws.
Baden-Württemberg's citizen forums are not limited to discussing smoking ban laws. In fact, these forums have been used for discussions on a wide range of topics, including the retirement of state parliamentarians, corona policy, and G8/G9 debates. The state government has also established citizen forums to increase citizen participation in the development of recommendations on the implementation of smoking bans.
The establishment of citizen forums is part of Baden-Württemberg's broader effort to increase citizen participation in the decision-making process. These forums are not the only platform where citizens can voice their opinions on policy in the state.
In a recent development, citizen forums have been called for to revise the state action plan for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This process, which began in June 2022, will continue into the autumn of 2023 with a session of the State Council.
In conclusion, Baden-Württemberg's citizen forums provide a valuable platform for citizens to voice their opinions on policy matters. While the tobacco industry has criticised the concept, it's clear that these forums play a significant role in the state's decision-making process. As the state government continues to seek ways to increase citizen participation, it's likely that we'll see more citizen forums in the future.
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