Germany became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on March 16, 2005. In 2020, the government passed a ban on outdoor advertising for tobacco products and e-cigarettes. However, this long-awaited law is weak and has exemptions which allow the industry to advertise. The industry also benefits from a tobacco tax exemption for tobacco products that manufacturers offer their employees as an in-kind allowance, amounting to €5 million (US $5.65 million) in 2020.