Readers in Germany are actively debating the potential consequences of rising tobacco prices, with some predicting a significant surge in the black market. The discussion centers around the balance between public health goals – reducing smoking rates – and the economic realities for smokers facing increased costs. Concerns are being raised that a price of 12 Euros per pack of cigarettes will not deter committed smokers but instead drive them toward illicit sources. This, readers suggest, will lead to increased untaxed sales, impacting state revenue. The debate also touches on the complexities of addiction and the effectiveness of price hikes as a public health strategy. Many believe that while higher prices are intended to discourage smoking, they may inadvertently fuel a thriving, unregulated black market for tobacco products throughout Germany.