Business mobilizes against health campaigns

 
Several trade associations, including Swiss advertising, are mobilizing against the prevention campaigns of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The accusation is that the FOPH is patronizing citizens. FOPH Director Thomas Zeltner in particular has to put up with harsh accusations, and twenty associations have now joined forces in an interest group. The IG includes the business umbrella organization Economiesuisse, the Swiss Trade Association (SGV), the Swiss Employers' Association, Gastrosuisse, the Swiss Farmers' Association, the Petroleum Association and the Swiss Advertising Association.
The FOPH has launched three campaigns within a very short space of time that would severely encroach on consumers' freedom, said Rudolf Horber, political secretary at the SIA, on Monday in an interview with the program "10 vor 10". The newly founded IG wants to combat these excesses. Nothing is yet known about planned measures.
Two of the FOPH's demands in particular are a thorn in the side of the economy, according to an SDA report. These are the restrictions on the sale of alcohol after 9 p.m. and smoke-free restaurants. However, the prevention spots against obesity are also a thorn in the side of the economy.
FOPH Director Thomas Zeltner should not be telling people what they can and cannot eat, Piero Schäfer, spokesperson for the Swiss Advertising Association, told "10 vor 10". Instead, personal responsibility should be appealed to.
Zeltner is also at the center of criticism. In the latest issue of the Gewerbezeitung, SGV spokesperson Patrick Lucca even describes him as a "health Taliban". The FOPH told "10 vor 10" that it had taken note of the article in the Gewerbezeitung and the opinion reflected in it. The next step will be for the Federal Council to comment on the programs. This is expected to happen before the summer break.