Initiative against tobacco advertising achieved
The popular initiative "Yes to protecting children and adolescents from tobacco advertising" has been formally launched. The initiative committee, consisting of various health organizations, has submitted sufficient valid signatures to the Federal Chancellery.
Of the total 110,316 signatures submitted, 109,969 are valid, the Federal Chancellery announced after verification on Friday. The signatures were submitted on September 12 (Werbewoche.ch reported).
The initiative calls for a complete ban on tobacco advertising that reaches children or young people. Specifically, cigarette advertising on billboards in public spaces is to be banned throughout Switzerland.
"Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to the dream worlds, coolness and success conveyed in advertising," Philippe Luchsinger, president of Family Doctors Switzerland, was quoted as saying in a committee statement when the signatures were submitted. Therefore, it is important to protect this age group from advertising, he said.
According to the Swiss Medical Association FMH, around 60 percent of smokers start as minors. If smoking was not started before the age of 18, the probability of remaining a non-smoker is high.
Tailwind from the Council of States
The initiators recently received support from the Council of States. In the fall session, it passed a law that provides for additional advertising bans for cigarettes in the press and on the Internet. Today, tobacco advertising is banned on radio and television. Advertising for tobacco products aimed specifically at young people is also prohibited.
A first attempt at a new Tobacco Products Act failed in parliament in 2016. In a second attempt, the Federal Council initially also envisaged advertising restrictions. However, following criticism in the consultation process, it deleted these. (SDA)
