Read articles from Switzerland

November 12, 2024 by gfn.tv

Switzerland is tightening up its restrictions on vaping products, bringing its policies further in line with the broader European attitude towards safer nicotine products. Joining us today is Michael Landl who provides his analysis of the latest regulatory changes and the impact they may have on vapers.

October 10, 2024 by globalcompliancenews.com

New tobacco legislation in Switzerland effective from 1 October 2024 includes regulations on e-cigarettes, tobacco products, and protections for minors. The Tobacco Products Law and Tobacco Products Ordinance aim to create uniform regulations across Switzerland by covering various tobacco products and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. Changes include prohibited additives in products, mandatory packaging information, and advertising restrictions, particularly targeting children and young adults. Sales to minors, age restriction checks, and advertising restrictions are part of the new legislation.

July 08, 2024 by lenews.ch

In 2022, Switzerland's smoking rate was 24%, dropping by 3% from 2017, with a significant decrease among highly educated individuals. Heavy smoking has decreased by over half in 30 years. New tobacco/e-cigarette consumption is popular among youth. Smoking rates varied based on education level. Men’s smoking rate (27%) is decreasing, catching up with women (21%). Switzerland’s smoking rates remain high compared to other countries. Passive smoking is widely tolerated in public spaces. Lack of awareness about passive smoking's harmful effects persists among Swiss smokers. US CDC reports 2,500,000 deaths in the US since 1964 due to secondhand smoke exposure.

June 17, 2024 by swissinfo.ch

Switzerland's House of Representatives voted to ban disposable e-cigarettes due to environmental and health concerns. Christophe Clivaz from the Greens pushed for the ban, citing pollution and addiction risks. The motion aims to prevent the sale of 'puff bars,' popular among youths for their flavors and colors. The government would amend the law to enforce the ban, despite opposition from Interior Minister Baume-Schneider. The Federal Council considers the ban premature, and now, the Senate will decide. The motion addresses the millions of disposed units that harm the environment and pose health risks.

February 13, 2024 by swissinfo.ch

The Alliance for tobacco advertising ban is concerned about the implementation of a ban on tobacco advertising in Switzerland, which was approved by voters two years ago. They claim that parliament's proposed legislation violates the constitution by allowing exceptions, such as for the sponsorship of music festivals. The organization behind the initiative is putting pressure on parliament to ensure that the ban is implemented as originally intended. They argue that any advertising aimed at young people that could tempt them to consume tobacco should be banned.

March 27, 2023 by swissinfo.ch

Addiction Switzerland said a survey conducted last year showed one in three 15-year-olds used tobacco or other nicotine products within the previous month.

The strongest increase was recorded last year for e-cigarettes, particularly among girls, compared to a poll carried out in 2018, the organisation said on Monday.

About 8% of the girls surveyed regularly smoked e-cigarettes, while 6% said they smoked conventional cigarettes; the percentage among boys for both categories was 7%.

February 13, 2022 by swissinfo.ch

Voters have agreed to limit advertising for tobacco products that may be seen by young people in Switzerland.
On Sunday 56.6% of voters supported the “Yes to the protection of children against tobacco advertising” people’s initiative. A majority of the country’s 26 cantons also backed the proposal, allowing it to pass.

People living in French- and Italian-speaking cantons and urban areas supported the call for tighter advertising restrictions. A number of German-speaking cantons from central and eastern Switzerland were against the initiative.

February 09, 2022 by snusforumet.se

Swiss MP Lukas Reimann explains how a chance encounter with Swedish snus helped him kick a 20-year smoking habit, legalise snus in Switzerland, and become an outspoken ambassador for smokeless nicotine products. [...] In the decade since he transitioned from cigarettes to snus, Reimann has tried to introduce snus to other friends struggling to quit cigarettes.

“They’ve tried medicine, therapies, even hypnosis. And nothing helped. And then I gave them this small can and they’ve told me, ‘I’ve stopped smoking! Thank you so much!’” he explains.

The committed libertarian believes smokers don’t want to be seen as “sick patients”. [...]

January 17, 2022 by swissinfo.ch

Swiss voters will decide on February 13 on a wide ban on tobacco advertising, aimed at protecting young people. Switzerland, home to the world’s largest cigarette companies, has some of the weakest laws against tobacco advertising in Europe. In Switzerland about a quarter of the population are smokers, including around 100,000 aged 15 to 19. The people's initiative, launched in 2018, calls for a ban on “any form of advertising [of tobacco products] that reaches children and young people”. Only tobacco advertising directly targeting adults would be allowed. The initiative also seeks to outlaw sponsoring by tobacco firms.

December 23, 2021 by lenews.ch

On 17 December 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council put forward a plan to tax the liquids used for e-cigarettes, reported RTS. The Federal Council is proposing a tax similar to the tax on tobacco but at a lower rate in line with e-cigarettes’ lower toxicity. The government does not want to discourage tobacco smokers from transitioning to e-cigarettes and proposes a rate 77% lower than the tax on tobacco cigarettes. The aim is to discourage young people from developing an unhealthy e-cigarette habit, said the government.