Anti-tobacco alliance presents study on tobacco advertising

The study showed that an advertising ban would reduce tobacco consumption, especially among children and young people, Allianz announced on Friday. It would not affect sales outlets, and festivals and sporting events could still go ahead. Switzerland is one of only seven countries that have not yet ratified the World Health Organization's Tobacco Convention. The convention calls for effective restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. In order to protect children and adolescents from the deadly dangers of smoking, a strong tobacco products law is also needed in Switzerland. The Alliance therefore calls on the Swiss parliament to create the legal basis for a "strict ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco products.

Criticism of tobacco lobby

Bruno Meili, former president of the Federal Commission for Tobacco Prevention and current president of the Working Group on Tobacco Prevention (AT), criticized "the attempts of the tobacco industry to manipulate public opinion, authorities and members of parliament [...]". He said he knows of several cases in Switzerland where "research and culture have been massively influenced." He received support from EU parliamentarian Gilles Pargneaux from France. The latter explained, according to the statement, how the tobacco industry tried to slow down the implementation of the directive in the EU, including through a lawsuit before the European Court of Justice, which was rejected in May of this year.

Federal Council for ban

The Council of States is debating the new Tobacco Products Act in the second week of the session. The Federal Council wants to ban tobacco advertising in cinemas and on billboards. Health Minister Alain Berset said during the presentation of the proposals that advertising has a great influence especially on young people. However, the preliminary advisory committee of the Council of States rejected the proposal and asked the Council to reject the bill. The Federal Council's proposal goes much too far, because it has not been proven that general advertising bans lead to a reduction in smoking. Nor is it clear why the same strict rules should apply to e-cigarettes containing nicotine as to conventional cigarettes, which are more harmful. Today, Switzerland only has a ban on tobacco advertising on radio and television. Tobacco advertising explicitly aimed at minors is also prohibited. (SDA)