Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Switzerland

9th July 2024: Switzerland: The Canton of Vaud has banned sales of heated tobacco products (HTPs) to under-18s and obligates retailers to verify the age of HTP purchasers on the basis of an identity document. In addition, any business that does not currently have a licence to sell tobacco must apply to the local council for a licence. Bans on smoking in public places have been extended to heated tobacco usage, and HTP advertising in both public places and private places visible to the public is forbidden. A transitional period is provided until 31st January 2025 for licence application and advertising, and until 30th June 2025 for consumer age checks.
8th July 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Commission for Addiction and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (EKSN) has published a discussion paper stating that tobacco products and e-cigarettes are under-regulated products, particularly in terms of marketing and advertising restrictions. The paper concludes that it would be advisable to introduce a licensing requirement for the production of these products and to raise their quality requirements.
4th July 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Statistical Office has released the Swiss Health Survey on tobacco consumption. The survey shows that more and more smokers are using heated tobacco products or e-cigarettes. In 2017 both products were used by 7% of smokers; in 2022 both were used by 16% of smokers, with 41% of that group also smoking conventional cigarettes. The use of heated tobacco among the total population increased from 0.5% in 2017 to 1.5% in 2022.
4th March 2024: Switzerland: On 29th February, the National Council voted 121 to 64 with 5 abstentions to reject the partial revision of the Tobacco Products Act, which restricts the advertising of tobacco and vaping products to children and adolescents. The Swiss People's Party felt that the proposal was too strict, while the Social Democratic Party and the Greens wanted a total advertising ban. The proposal now goes back to the Council of States for amendments. If the Council of States rejects it, or if the National Council rejects it a second time, the bill will not be passed and the parliament will have to submit a new bill.
25th January 2024: Switzerland: As part of preliminary decisions to amend the 2025 Budget, the Federal Council has announced that the tobacco tax will be increased. It estimates that the increase will generate additional revenue of at least CHF35m (€37.2m). Details about the increase were not disclosed, and it's not clear if it will affect heated tobacco. The economic committees of both the Federal Council and the National Council are to be consulted on the measure.
22nd January 2024: Switzerland: The National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N) has approved the partial revision of the Tobacco Products Act, which restricts advertising of tobacco and vaping products aimed at children and adolescents. The majority has followed the Council of States' proposals, but the SGK-N recommends that advertising should continue to be allowed in the inside section of newspapers and magazines sold under subscription and whose readership is mainly adults, and that the sale of tobacco products by mobile sales staff in public places should not be prohibited. The bill will be examined by the National Council in the spring session and is expected to enter into force in 2026.
6th November 2023: Switzerland: The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has published the Swiss Health Survey 2022, which has been carried out every five years since 1992. The survey shows that snus is particularly popular among the younger male population, with 11% of 15- to 24-year-old males consuming snus in 2022. When presenting the data, FOPH director Anne Lévy said: “When the new Tobacco Products Act comes into force in the middle of next year, a comprehensive ban on the sale of tobacco products for young people under the age of 18 will apply in Switzerland for the first time. In addition to conventional cigarettes, this also includes all other tobacco and nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, disposables, heated tobacco products, snuff and snus.” She added: “This is a step in the right direction. Consistent implementation is also important.”
11th October 2023: Switzerland: As shown on our TobaccoIntelligence compliance calendar, tomorrow (12th October) is the last day of the consultation on the preliminary draft of the Ordinance on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes. The ordinance specifies the provisions of the new Federal Law on Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes – which was approved by Parliament in October 2021 and is expected to come into force in 2024 – and will determine the obligations of companies and regulation of test purchases, and define new categories of products such as herbal products for heating.
27th September 2023: Switzerland: On 21st September, the Council of States approved the partial revision of the Tobacco Products Act, which will restrict the advertising of tobacco and vaping products aimed at children and adolescents. The Council of States approved some amendments and partially weakened the original proposal submitted by the Federal Council. Among the changes, advertising in public places will still be allowed as long as it is not visible or accessible to minors. The bill will now be examined by the National Council and is expected to enter into force in 2026.
21st August 2023: Switzerland: The parliamentary Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (SGK-S) has requested an amendment of the Federal Council’s bill to implement “Children without tobacco”, adopted by a popular initiative in February 2022. According to the SGK-S, tobacco and vaping advertising in newspapers and magazines primarily aimed at adults should remain allowed, as should sponsorship of events, provided that the advertising cannot be viewed by anyone on-site who is under-age. The bill will continue to be discussed in the autumn session of the Council of States.
22nd June 2023: Switzerland: The Federal Council has opened for consultation the preliminary draft of an ordinance specifying the provisions of the new Federal Law on Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes, which was approved by Parliament in October 2021 and is expected to come into force in 2024. The ordinance will determine the obligations of companies and regulation of test purchases, and define new categories of products such as herbal products for heating. The consultation is open until 12th October.
25th May 2023: Switzerland: Following the adoption of the people’s initiative “Children without Tobacco”, which calls for a ban on tobacco and vaping advertising aimed at children and adolescents, the Federal Office of Public Health has presented a fact sheet revealing that the advertising ban set down in the Tobacco Products Act is to be extended to all print media and points-of-sale. Online advertising will remain legal as long as an age-verification system is in place. The initiative is expected to be implemented in 2026.

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