Not many of us know about the fact that German doctors were the first and foremost to recognize a close association between lung cancer and smoking. In the modern history, German Nazi's were the first to lead a public anti-smoking campaign and also started a powerful and most influential anti-tobacco movement. After the Nazis came to power in Germany, they led the most powerful anti- smoking campaign in the world. The campaign was the most influential movement during the 1930s and early 1940s. Nazis openly criticized tobacco consumption as well as strongly opposed the practice of smoking.

Research on the harmful effects of smoking flourished under Nazi rule, and was the most significant of its type at that time. The strong policies of Nazis and Adolf Hitler’s personal dislike for tobacco were amongst the encouraging factors behind their anti-smoking campaign. Anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany was associated with both racism and anti-semitism. The Nazi anti-tobacco campaign comprised many activities such as - raising the tobacco tax, organizing medical lectures for soldiers, restraining cigarette supplies in the Wehrmacht, promoting health education, spreading awareness on harmful effects of smoking, and banning smoking in city trains, buses and trams. The movement banned smoking in coffeehouses and restaurants; controlled smoking in public spaces; and imposed restrictions on tobacco advertising.

In the early years of Nazi regime, anti- tobacco movement did not have much significant effect and there was increased use of tobacco, but later it became successful. Adolf Hitler in his early life was an intense smoker but later quit smoking as he started viewing smoking as “decadent” and “wastage of money”. Hitler personally awarded those who quit smoking and motivated close friends not to smoke. The harmful effect of smoking on health was recognized and numerous anti-smoking legislations were enacted. During the end of 1930s and the early years of World War II, Nazis implemented several anti-tobacco laws which declined the use of tobacco to a large extent.