Health Commission against ban on tobacco advertising

With 6 votes in favor, 4 against and 2 abstentions, the SGK requested that the Council refer the Tobacco Products Act back to the Federal Council, as reported by the Parliamentary Services on Friday. It wants to instruct the Federal Council to transfer the most important points from the current Tobacco Ordinance into law without placing greater restrictions on advertising, sponsorship and sales promotion. The majority of the committee argues that the Federal Council's proposal goes far too far. It had not been proven that a general ban on advertising would lead to a reduction in smoking. It is also not clear why nicotine-containing e-cigarettes should be subject to the same strict rules as conventional cigarettes, which are more harmful. The minority of the Commission considers the draft law to be a useful basis for detailed consultation. The proponents also state that a law along the lines of the Federal Council's draft is a necessary prerequisite for the ratification of the WHO Tobacco Convention.

Prohibit sale to minors

The nationwide ban on the sale of cigarettes to minors is not controversial. The Commission states that it expressly welcomes this measure to protect children and young people. The Federal Council also wants to restrict advertising: tobacco advertising on posters, in print and online media and in cinemas is to be banned. Tobacco companies would still be allowed to advertise at kiosks, on vending machines and at festivals of national importance. At the presentation of the proposals, Health Minister Alain Berset said that advertising has a particularly strong influence on young people. According to a German study, the risk of young people starting to smoke increases by 46 percent when they are exposed to tobacco advertising.

Already controversial during the consultation process

Today, there is a ban on tobacco advertising on radio and television. Tobacco advertising explicitly aimed at minors is also prohibited. A more far-reaching ban had already met with criticism during the consultation process. Nevertheless, the Federal Council stuck to its guns. Berset pointed out that Switzerland was going less far with the planned rules than most European countries. Some cantons also currently have stricter rules than the federal government. In 15 cantons, poster advertising for tobacco products is already banned. In ten cantons, cigarettes may not be sold to minors, and in a further twelve cantons the sales age is 16. Every year, over 5 million people worldwide die as a result of tobacco consumption. In Switzerland, this figure is around 9500. This makes tobacco consumption the most common preventable cause of death in Switzerland. (SDA)