The Swiss National Assembly has passed a proposal to ban disposable vapes, which is currently awaiting further review by the Senate.
Key points:
- Policy progress: The Swiss National Council passed a motion to ban disposable vapes by a large majority at the summer session of 2024. Currently, it is awaiting further review by the Senate.
- Legislative purpose: The ban aims to address the potential harm to the health of teenagers, especially the addiction risks brought about by high nicotine content and the addition of fragrances.
- Health risk: Disposable vapes generally contain nicotine salts, which are more addictive. The nicotine concentration in some products exceeds the legal limit of 20 milligrams per milliliter.
- Political divergence: Although the National Assembly and the Social Health Committee support the motion, the Federal Council believes that the timing for the ban is still too early and suggests that it be advanced with caution to comply with international obligations.
Swiss parliament pushes for ban on disposable vapes
According to local media reports in Switzerland, disposable vapes (also known as Puff-Bars) have been widely sold in the Swiss market since 2020. Due to their low price, easy availability, and the presence of various spices, it is attractive to teenagers and thus are consumed in large quantities.
The National Assembly passed a motion to ban the sale of such products at its summer session in 2024 with 122 votes to 63 and 4 abstentions. At present, this issue is being further discussed in the Senate. The Federal Commission was asked to adjust the current Federal Act on Tobacco Products and vapes at the summer meeting to ban the sale of disposable vapes, but rechargeable vapes are not affected by this ban.
According to the data from the Addiction Prevention Center of the Canton of Zurich, the reason why this ban has become a focus of discussion is mainly due to its potential health risks, especially its impact on teenagers. The nicotine content of these devices is relatively high, and some even exceed the legal limit of 20 milligrams per milliliter, equivalent to the intake of multiple packs of traditional cigarettes.
Swiss parliamentary motion has been passed by the National Council
Furthermore, these products often contain nicotine salts. Although they are not more dangerous than pure nicotine, they are more addictive. Coupled with sweet spices and marketing tactics targeting young people. The authorities have expressed concerns about the high addiction potential of teenagers because their brains are not yet mature. Improper handling of products also brings about environmental problems.
In the parliament, the upper House first received a motion submitted by Christophe Clivaz, a member of the Green Party’s National House, on March 9, 2023. The motion was initially rejected by the Federal Council. A year later, Clivaz submitted a motion again, stating that the previous position of the Federal Council was no longer applicable.
The National Council and its Social Security and Health Committee supported the passage of the motion, but the Swiss government still recommended its rejection. The Federal Council is aware of the problems with “vapes”, but says it needs to further assess the compatibility of the ban with Switzerland’s international obligations. Faced with numerous unresolved issues, the Federal Council believes that legislation is too early and suggests waiting and seeing.
The cantons of Jura. Valais and Bern in Switzerland have banned the use of disposable vapes. Similar trends have also emerged in the cantons of Basel, Ticino, Solothurn, Schaffhausen, Geneva and Vaud.
Internationally, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom have banned the sale of disposable vapes. Germany and Ireland are also considering implementing similar bans. Australia and New Zealand have already imposed bans. If Switzerland eventually passes the bill, it will be in line with the increasing number of countries that ban vapes.
