Data relating to 422 men and 315 women aged 20 to 64 years were collected in 1991/92 using 3-day weighed records. The national German food composition file BLS 2.1 was used for food coding and calculation of nutrients. Age adjusted mean daily intakes were presented. Food intake habits of smokers and non-smokers showed distinct differences: for instance, non-smokers of both genders are more fresh fruit (m: 166 g vs. 119 g, p = 0.0001; f: 180 g vs. 147 g, p = 0.0009), more milk and milk products (m: 195 g vs. 121 g, p = 0.0108; f: 176 g vs. 136 g, p = 0.0004), and drank less coffee (m: 401 g vs. 457 g, p = 0.0103; f: 387 g vs. 491 g, p = 0.0003). As a result, intakes of various nutrients also differed. For example, smokers had lower intakes of fibre, selected vitamins, and minerals. The tendency toward an unhealthier dietary pattern in smokers was in accordance with findings from various industrialized Western countries.