The Swiss National Council has again reviewed the implementation of the ban on tobacco advertising. Although people voted in favor of a complete ban on tobacco advertising visible to children and teenagers three years ago. Parliament has faced many challenges and controversies in implementing it.
Implementation of Switzerland’s tobacco advertising ban hit a snag
According to Blick, on Monday (16 December), the Swiss National Council again decided to implement the tobacco advertising ban.
Three years ago, the Swiss people voted that tobacco advertising should be completely banned in places where all children and teenagers can see it. However, the decision was difficult to implement in parliament. Earlier this year, the state commission returned preliminary recommendations for federal hospitals that did not have the sweeping advertising and sponsorship restrictions that advocates like Alain Berset and then-Health Minister Alain Berset had demanded.
Congress to discuss new measures
Federal courts still uphold many exception programs, such as allowing mobile salespeople to advertise, tobacco advertising in public places, and sponsoring places where minors can’t see it. The Federal Health Office also noted that the strict constitutional text has no room for speech. Last year, an opinion said the changes were illegal in the administration’s view, and the Cancer Coalition accused the federal courts of disrespecting public opinion.
Conservatives say the bill is too restrictive of the free market. The Swiss People’s Party has said in previous national committee discussions that the proposal is too repressive on the market and seeks to join the left-wing parties in abortion.
Philip Morris International, British American Cigarette, and Japan Cigarette International have production bases in Switzerland and significantly influence politics. Switzerland also needs to pay back debts from 20 years ago: the international tobacco control Framework, signed in 2004, calls for various measures to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco, including bans on tobacco advertising. However, Switzerland has failed to fully honor this commitment, becoming one of four European countries where the agreement has yet to be implemented.
In October, the federal government implemented a new tobacco products law that bans the sale of cigarettes to minors and bans tobacco advertising in public places and on personal premises that can be seen in public places. However, the Health Alliance Prevention Agency believes that this measure is still not enough. If parliament eventually imposes a minor advertising ban, they will oppose it.
As a final measure, Hans Stockli, 72, a former Social Democratic federal senator and president of the Association for Tobacco-Free Kids, said a referendum might have to be called.
