Federal Council proposes comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising
The Federal Council wants to legally ban all advertising for tobacco products and e-cigarettes in the press, on the Internet and at points of sale. It sent its draft for the implementation of the initiative "Yes to the protection of children and adolescents from tobacco advertising" into consultation on Wednesday.
The petition was approved by the people and the cantons in February. It calls for tobacco advertising to be banned wherever it reaches minors.
To implement this, the national government is now proposing a comprehensive advertising ban, it announced. There are no suitable measures to ensure that newspapers or magazines are only read by adults, the Federal Council wrote in justification.
Even if they were only allowed to be sold to adults, they could still end up in the hands of children and young people, for example at the family dinner table or in public places. The same applies to online newspapers and other digital media offerings. This is because online subscriptions are often shared by several members of a family.
No festival sponsorship
The Federal Council's draft also stipulates that the tobacco and e-cigarette industry may no longer sponsor events to which minors are admitted. This applies in particular to festivals. Tobacco advertising would remain permitted in places to which children and young people have no access. Advertising aimed directly at adults would also continue to be permitted, according to the information provided.
Further, the Federal Council proposes that the tobacco industry must report its advertising expenditures in the future - although companies can do so jointly. This provision would allow Switzerland to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, it said.
The consultation is about changes to the Tobacco Products Act. This was passed by parliament last year - even before the vote on the initiative. According to Wednesday's statement, the law is expected to enter into force in its original form at the beginning of 2024. The implementing provisions are currently being drafted.
According to the press release, the tightening measures proposed on Wednesday will be discussed by parliament next year - they will probably not come into force before 2025. The consultation will last until the end of November. (SDA)
