The first West German antismoking campaigns appeared in the 1970's but met with limited success. Public concern has intensified recently because of an outpouring of studies detailing the dangers of cigarettes and the problems non smokers allegedly face by"passively" inhaling smoke in public places. The health committee of the West German Parliament is now debating proposals to add another tax on cigarettes and to forbid cigarette sales to children under 16 And a signature-gathering campaign will be launched on World Health Day to promote a national nonsmoking day.