The Swiss government will ban the advertising of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to young people. Thus, advertisements for cigarettes will no longer be allowed in printed media, shops and at events attended by young people.
With this, the government will implement the decision that the voters supported in last year’s referendum, when in February 57 percent of the participants in the referendum supported the protection of young people from tobacco industry advertising.
The government will thus strengthen the already planned restrictions on the advertising of tobacco products in places where young people hang out. The new laws will enter into force from Wednesday 2026, and stricter restrictions on the advertising of tobacco products and e-cigarettes will be in force as early as next year. This will have the biggest impact on print media, online advertising and festivals.
According to the government, 9,500 people die prematurely from smoking in Switzerland every year, which makes smoking one of the biggest public health problems.
“Tobacco products also cause many other diseases, and treatment is estimated at 3.1 billion euros annually,” the government also announced, adding that advertising of tobacco products plays an important role in the decision to smoke.
Last year’s data show that 6.9 percent of teenagers between the ages of 11 and 15 smoked cigarettes at least once a month, and 5.7 percent of those between the ages of 15 and 24 smoked an electronic cigarette at least once a month.
In addition to the ban on advertising for tobacco products in print media, shops and at events attended by young people, sponsorship of events attended by under-18s will also be banned. Online advertising will be allowed, subject to the age control of users who can see certain content.
Source: Rtvslo
