BAT boss criticizes draft law
Beverley Spencer, the head of the Swiss division of tobacco manufacturer British American Tobacco (BAT), has criticized the draft bill for a new Swiss tobacco products law.
"I find the current draft law problematic and see no need for additional restrictions and bans," Spencer told Handelszeitung. The new law is intended to regulate or partially ban advertising, promotion, sponsorship of tobacco products and levies on smoking products. The Federal Office of Public Health argues that this will effectively protect the health of the population and children and young people in particular. However, Spencer is doubtful whether and when the new law will be passed: "If you look at how long it takes for laws to be implemented in Switzerland, I think it will take a while." Parliament and the Federal Council have been working on a new law for tobacco products in Switzerland since 2015. Until now, cigarettes were only covered by the Foodstuffs Act. This is set to change with a separate, stricter Tobacco Products Act, which is due to be put to a final vote in parliament at the end of the year.
