Health organizations call for total ban on cigarette advertising

The Federal Council conducted a consultation on this last year. In the preliminary draft, it proposed banning advertising on posters, in cinemas, print and electronic media. However, it wants to continue to allow advertising at kiosks and the sponsorship of open-air festivals and other events. With this solution, the Federal Council believes it has found a compromise between the interests of health protection and those of the economy.

Speaking to the media in Bern on Tuesday, Hans Stöckli, SP member of the Council of States from Bern and President of the Swiss Health Leagues Conference, spoke of an alibi law. The Federal Council's proposals were not enough to prevent young people from being constantly confronted with tobacco advertising. This is despite the fact that the Tobacco Ordinance prohibits advertising aimed directly at this target group.

Advertising for children's eyes

A study carried out by prevention organizations in French-speaking Switzerland over the last two years confirms Stöckli's findings: in almost 40 percent of sales outlets advertising tobacco products, the advertising or tobacco products were located directly next to the sweets. In 35 percent of cases, the advertising was placed at children's eye level. "Eye level is buy level", Thomas Beutler from Tobacco Prevention Switzerland recalled an old marketing rule.

Cigarettes are also advertised on go-kart tracks, in amusement arcades and on the People pages of free newspapers, which are popular with children and young people. Tobacco companies are present at festivals with events, sales stands and party tents. "Tobacco advertising is omnipresent in the everyday lives of the mostly young target audience," Beutler is convinced.

Cigarettes are not only advertised as not being harmful, but also as a positive product, said Andreas Tschöpe, Managing Director of the Swiss Association of Youth Organizations. "It should be associated with things like coolness, relaxation and a relaxed lifestyle."

A conscious, responsible consumption decision is hardly possible under these circumstances. Tschöpe was responding to the opponents of the Tobacco Products Act, who see advertising bans as an encroachment on personal freedoms. "A decision is only really free if it is made consciously," he said.

Ban costs nothing

A study published on Monday by Addiction Switzerland revealed that 7 percent of 15-year-olds in Switzerland smoke every day. That is lower than ever before. For Lung League Director Sonja Bietenhard, however, it is clear that current tobacco prevention is inadequate. The protection of young people justifies more far-reaching measures. And the most effective and cheapest prevention can be achieved through the price of tobacco and restrictions on advertising, said Stöckli, a member of the Council of States. "We must not forget: A law costs nothing."

The trade association and organizations from the tobacco, advertising and media industries take a different view. Some fear losses, while others see the bans as ideologically driven paternalism towards citizens.

The battle over tobacco advertising is in full swing between these two camps. In this heated climate, the Federal Council must now decide how to proceed with the Tobacco Products Act. If necessary, it intends to adopt a dispatch in the second half of 2015. In addition to advertising bans, it also envisages consistent age controls and rules for e-cigarettes. (SDA)

Teaser image: Lungleague.ch