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In Germany, tobacco products are available everywhere 24 h the day. Specialist shops, kiosks, super markets, petrol stations and vending machines supply smokers with cigarettes. This study examines the differential use of the several channels of supply. Four representative random samples from general population were investigated. All together, 12,218 subjects aged 14 to 97 were interviewed (computer assisted personal interviews). 3.602 subjects (30 % of the entire sample) reported to be smokers. Young adults, men, employed subjects, subjects with university degree and very high income as well as smokers from the western part of Germany and with high level of consumption supply tobacco products more often at petrol stations. In kiosks, especially men, subjects with university degree and from the western part of Germany buy tobacco products. Adolescents buy cigarettes less frequently than adults in the super market, which is named more often by women and subjects from the western part of Germany. Vending machines supply especially adolescents with cigarettes, furthermore also men, subjects with partner, employed persons, subjects from the western part of Germany and smokers with higher level of consumption. Friends as a source of supply are indicated more often by adolescents and subjects with partner. Subjects from the eastern part of Germany and with higher level of consumption buy tobacco products more often abroad. High availability should also account for the high prevalence of smoking in Germany compared to other countries. First restrictions of the ubiquitous access to tobacco products were already implemented in Germany. Further steps up to the exclusive sale of tobacco products in licensed specialist shops are desirable components of a comprehensive tobacco control programme, since restrictions of availability should contribute to a reduction of smoking in the general population. Eingegangen: 16. Mai 2007; angenommen: 30. Mai 2007