Solothurn votes against tobacco advertising
Over the weekend of the referendum, the canton of Solothurn voted in favor of Switzerland’s strictest anti-tobacco law. The Swiss Advertising Association reaffirms its intention to continue opposing cantonal advertising bans.
The canton of Solothurn voted in favor of Switzerland's toughest anti-tobacco law at the weekend. With 56 percent, the Yes vote for the ban on tobacco advertising on public and publicly visible private property was clear. The Swiss Advertising Association (SW) is not pleased with the result of the vote. In its official statement, SW writes that the result came as no surprise. This is because attitudes towards smoking have changed in the population and the advertising bans in the new health law were linked to an increasingly popular smoking ban.
For SW, however, the cantonal strategy is questionable. For the first time, a sponsorship ban and a ban on advertising in cinemas would apply in Solothurn. The regulations at the point of sale (POS) are also unclear.
The previous proposals for bans in other cantons only concern posters. In Solothurn, a new legal uncertainty would be created, which would increase with every general yes to similar bans. For this reason alone, SW continues, it will continue to fight cantonal bans on tobacco advertising.
For SW, however, the cantonal strategy is questionable. For the first time, a sponsorship ban and a ban on advertising in cinemas would apply in Solothurn. The regulations at the point of sale (POS) are also unclear.
The previous proposals for bans in other cantons only concern posters. In Solothurn, a new legal uncertainty would be created, which would increase with every general yes to similar bans. For this reason alone, SW continues, it will continue to fight cantonal bans on tobacco advertising.
