Damon Mcknight
Austria has long been known as the ashtray of Europe due to its high percentage of smokers and lax smoking laws. However, in recent years, the country has taken steps to crack down on tobacco use, including implementing a smoking ban in bars, cafes, and restaurants, as well as imposing hefty taxes and fines. Despite these measures, cigarettes remain relatively cheap and easily accessible in Austria. For those looking to purchase cigarettes in the country, various shops and websites offer tobacco products, including the Austria Tabak Shop, which offers premium brands at wholesale prices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking ban in Austria | Yes, since November 1, 2019 |
| Smoking ban includes | Bars, coffee houses, restaurants, shishas, and electronic cigarettes |
| Fines for smokers | €1,000 |
| Fines for owners of establishments | €2,000 |
| Price of a 20-pack of Marlboros | €5.50 |
| Austria's reputation | "The Ashtray of Europe" |
| Austria's smoking rate | 25% of its 8.8 million inhabitants |
| Online tobacco shops in Austria | Tabak Shop Austria |
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What You'll Learn
Cigarette prices in Austria
Cigarettes in Austria are relatively cheap compared to its neighbouring countries, despite a 74-78% tax on cigarettes. The retail price for the best-selling cigarette brand in Austria currently includes 74% in taxes, which is higher than in Slovakia (47%), the Czech Republic (50%), and Switzerland (55%).
A pack of 20 Marlboro cigarettes costs €5.30, with the average price of other cigarettes at about €5.50. This is a relatively small increase from €4.90 in 2014.
Austria's low cigarette prices are an incentive for shopping trips to its eastern neighbour states. In 1997, after imports from Eastern countries were limited to 25 cigarettes per person, sales in Austria grew by more than 15%.
The EU Tobacco Tax Directive requires member states to levy a minimum excise tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The current minimum cigarette excise tax in the EU is €1.80 per 20-cigarette pack, and the total excise duty must be at least 60% of an EU country's weighted average retail selling price.
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Online tobacco shops in Austria
Austria is known for its relaxed attitude towards smoking. If you are looking to buy tobacco products in Austria, there are several shops you can visit. One option is to visit a physical store, such as Tobacco Shop Zwolenski, which offers a range of tobacco products, greeting cards, and magazines. Another option is Perkles tobacco shop in Passage Linz, which also offers a selection of magazines and gift tickets in addition to tobacco products and cigars.
Alternatively, you can opt for online tobacco shops, which offer the convenience of ordering from home. One such shop is Heinemann Shop, which allows you to pre-order tobacco products online and pick them up ready-packed from the airport on the day of your departure. Heinemann Shop offers a wide range of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco. They carry top international brands such as Marlboro, Lucky Strike, Cohiba, and Winston.
Another online option is Tabak Shop Austria, which offers high-quality tabak, cigar, and cigarette products at wholesale prices. They aim to cater to all personal tastes and price points, and they will source specific products for customers if they are not in stock.
When purchasing tobacco products in Austria, it is important to keep in mind the legal age restrictions and adhere to the relevant laws and regulations.
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Smoking bans in Austrian bars
Cigarettes and tobacco products can be purchased at tobacconists and from vending machines in Austria.
Austria has historically been known as the "ashtray of Europe", with smoking permitted in bars, cafes, and restaurants. However, in recent years, there has been a push for smoking bans in these establishments. On November 1, 2019, the Austrian government introduced a total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, following fierce campaigning by the Austrian Medical Association and anti-smoking groups. This move was applauded by the World Health Organization, which emphasized the importance of protecting workers and the public from second-hand smoke.
The smoking ban in Austrian bars and restaurants marked a significant shift in the country's attitude towards tobacco control. Previously, designated indoor smoking areas were permitted in larger establishments, while smaller venues could allow smoking throughout. The ban was met with mixed reactions, with some celebrating the improved air quality and health benefits, while others, including bar and nightclub owners, expressed concerns about a potential decrease in customers and turnover.
The delay in implementing smoking bans in Austria can be attributed to various factors, including the influence of the country's formerly state-owned tobacco industry and political factors. Austria started addressing the dangers of smoking about ten years after the US, and the powerful tobacco monopoly, Austria Tabak, presented a significant conflict of interest in regulating tobacco.
Despite the progress made with the 2019 smoking ban, Austria still has a long way to go in cracking down on tobacco use. While there is a 78% tax on cigarettes, they remain relatively cheap, and Austria continues to have a high rate of daily smokers compared to other Western countries. However, with the smoking ban in bars and restaurants, Austria has taken a crucial step towards creating healthier and smoke-free environments for its citizens.
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Smoking bans in Austrian restaurants
On November 1, 2019, Austria introduced a total ban on smoking in bars, coffee houses, and restaurants. Before the ban, designated indoor smoking areas were permitted in larger establishments, and smaller establishments were free to allow smoking throughout. The country has been described as the "ashtray of Europe", with smoking permitted just about everywhere. Austria's high smoking rate has been attributed to a formerly state-owned tobacco industry, the far-right party, and "the Austrian solution". The country's powerful tobacco monopoly, Austria Tabak, has also been blamed for the delay in implementing smoking regulations.
The smoking ban in Austrian restaurants was met with protests, pub and nightclub closures, and lawsuits. However, a survey by an Austrian news magazine suggests that most Austrians are in favor of the ban. The ban has been applauded by the World Health Organization's program manager for tobacco control in Europe, who emphasized the importance of comprehensive smoke-free legislation to protect workers and the public from second-hand smoke.
Some restaurant and cafe owners in Austria voluntarily went smoke-free several years before the ban was introduced. However, others allowed smoking until the last possible minute. For example, Wratschko, a traditional pub in Vienna, only became smoke-free when the ban was implemented. The owner, Clemens Wratschko, noted that the atmosphere had improved, and it was better for his staff, most of whom were smokers. He observed that they were exposed to less passive smoke and felt fresher the next day.
While the smoking ban in Austrian restaurants is a step forward, it is just one small part of the effort to curb tobacco use in the country. Although there is a 78% tax on cigarettes, they are still relatively cheap in Austria. For example, a 20-pack of Marlboros costs only 5.50 euros. As a result, Austria still has a long way to go in reducing smoking prevalence and protecting its citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
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Austrian smoking statistics
Austria has been known as the "ashtray of Europe", with a population that is among the worst educated about tobacco in Europe. People could smoke just about anywhere, including bars, cafes, restaurants, and public transport stops. It was common to see waiters smoking while serving, and pregnant women and children smoking as well.
This is due in part to the country's formerly state-owned tobacco industry, which created a conflict of interest at the heart of regulating tobacco. Austria Tabak, a state monopoly, controlled the production and distribution of cigarettes and was not privatized until 1997. This meant that public health warnings about the dangers of smoking came much later to Austria than to other Western countries.
Austria has more than double the rate of daily smokers compared to the US. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 24.3% of Austrians over the age of 15 are daily smokers, compared to 10.5% in the US. The Austrian smoking rate for 2020 was 26.4%, a 0.7% decline from 2019. A representative sample of Austrians in 1995 showed that approximately 31% of the population over the age of 15 were regular cigarette smokers, with 12% being former smokers, 6% smoking occasionally, and 51% having never smoked.
While Austria has implemented a smoking ban in bars, coffee houses, and restaurants, and there is a 78% tax on cigarettes, they are still relatively cheap. A 20-pack of Marlboros costs 5.50 euros (US $6.14), making it easy to understand why Austria has struggled to shake its smoking habit.
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