World fights nicotine addiction but Switzerland continues to drag feet

December 04, 2025 by swissinfo.ch

World fights nicotine addiction but Switzerland continues to drag feet

Switzerland's failure to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control despite hosting WHO's headquarters allows the tobacco industry to wield significant influence. Despite COP11 decisions to tackle issues like environmental pollution and deceptive industry claims, the tobacco lobby continues to impede global tobacco control efforts. Switzerland's strong ties between the tobacco industry and politicians hinder progress, with the country ranking poorly in the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index. The tobacco industry's active presence in policymaking highlights the weaknesses in Swiss tobacco control legislation, as seen through the watering down of key regulations. This contributes to Switzerland's low ranking in tobacco control policy implementation compared to other European countries.

swissinfo
World map

21.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 1.6 million current smokers in Switzerland.
SOURCE: GSTHR

Categories:

TOP NEWS by REGION

gfntv

Nov. 12, 2024, 4:50 p.m. by gfn.tv

SWITZERLAND SWITCHES THINGS UP | Landl analyses the latest vape regulatory changes

Regions: Switzerland Europe

swissinfo

Sept. 20, 2018, 8:43 a.m. by swissinfo.ch

E-cigarette industry agrees to voluntary sales ban for minors

Regions: Switzerland

swissinfo

Sept. 28, 2018, 11:34 a.m. by swissinfo.ch

Switzerland criticised for tobacco control treaty stance

Regions: Switzerland

japantimes

Oct. 2, 2018, 8:50 a.m. by japantimes.co.jp

Battle for lungs and minds as tobacco control treaty meeting opens

Regions: Switzerland

theparliamentmagazine

May 10, 2018, 10:46 a.m. by theparliamentmagazine.eu

eCigarettes: Reduced risk and vaping regulation

Regions: Switzerland