Solothurn passes "toughest" anti-tobacco law

The Solothurn Cantonal Council passed a comprehensive anti-tobacco law on Wednesday - as reported yesterday (see Ban on advertising tobacco products causes smoking heads in Solothurn). However, the law still has to be put to the people. In addition to the controversial ban on advertising, it includes a ban on smoking in public places and restaurants as well as a ban on the sale of tobacco products to young people. According to the Lung League, these three components make the canton of Solothurn the most stringent anti-tobacco law in Switzerland. The decision in the cantonal parliament was made by 66 votes to 10 after a heated discussion. The advertising ban was particularly controversial. The SVP and FDP tried in vain to overturn this from the bill. This was narrowly passed by 45 votes to 42.
SVP spokesman Kurt Küng warned against the "hysterical cries about tobacco". Switzerland is home to the three largest manufacturers and their international marketing organizations. FDP spokesman Simon Winkelhausen explained that the protection of minors was sufficiently guaranteed even without an advertising ban. According to SP/Greens spokesperson Stephanie Affolter, however, tobacco advertising is aimed directly at young people. The advertising suggests a lot of fresh air and health, which is ethically questionable. In addition, tobacco advertising is detrimental to prevention work, according to Affolter.

If advertising bans and age limits serve to protect minors, there is nothing wrong with them, explained Marc Fritsche, press spokesman for the tobacco company Philip Morris Switzerland. The regulations would make the business more predictable and predictable. However, he would prefer a federal solution to numerous cantonal solutions. Fritsche also emphasized that the company has no plans to leave Switzerland because of the smoking bans.

Kuno Studer from the Solothurn Lung League told the SDA news agency that he was delighted with the result. The referendum will be groundbreaking for Switzerland. The bill may be put to the people for a vote as early as November 26. Studer is confident about the vote. However, there is a real danger that the advertising ban could jeopardize the entire bill, Studer explained.