The tobacco epidemic has reached Austria. The prevalence of smoking is still increasing while the habit is imposing an enormous health and economic burden on the country’s society. Tobacco consumption causes respiratory and lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), several cancers and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke. The new Austrian tobacco law under preparation is a unique opportunity to raise standards of tobacco legislation, and therefore to protect the health of every Austrian citizen, including non-smokers who suffer from passive smoking. The involvement of the Austrian public health community and civil society representatives could bring an added value to the ongoing debate.