Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Switzerland

24th October 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), when asked about tax revenue collection, told TobaccoIntelligence that heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and heated herbal products fall under the product category “other tobacco products” together with chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco and water pipe tobacco and therefore are not a separated category. The “other tobacco products” category raised CHF48m (€51.3m) in tax revenue in 2021, around CHF63m (€56.6m) in 2022 and around CHF72m (€76.9m) in 2023.
23rd October 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) has told TobaccoIntelligence that both nicotine pouches and snus are taxed like chewing tobacco, meaning that a tax rate of 6% of the retail price applies. The tax will be increased to 10% from 1st January 2025.
21st October 2024: Switzerland: The National Council's Commission for Social Security and Health has approved the partial revision of the Tobacco Products Act, which introduces restrictions on the advertising of tobacco and vaping products to children and adolescents. The Commission requested that several decisions of the Council of States be followed, such as a ban on advertising in publicly accessible places and on sponsoring events where under-18s have access. In other areas, the Commission has made compromise proposals that differ from the Federal Council's draft. The National Council will discuss the amendment at its winter session in December.
17th October 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Council has adopted an ordinance amending the Tobacco Tax Act that will raise taxes on heated tobacco products and snus. For heated tobacco, the tax increase will be from 12% to 16% of the retail price. For snus, it will be from 6% to 10% of the retail price. The changes correspond to an increase of about CHF0.40 (€0.42) per retail unit. The new taxes will go into effect on 1st January 2025.
1st October 2024: Switzerland: Today, the Tobacco Products Act and the Ordinance on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes enter into force. Heated tobacco products (HTPs) and nicotine pouches will fall under the tobacco regulations, which include a uniform ban on sales to under-18s, stricter advertising regulations, sales restrictions, packaging restrictions, reporting requirements and an extension to the public usage obligations. Herbal heated products will also be subject to the tobacco law.
20th September 2024: Switzerland: Following the entry into force of the Tobacco Products Act and the Tobacco Products Ordinance on 1st October, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is organising an online event to inform the industry about the new legislation. The event will take place on 24th September from 08:30 to 09:30. Registration is possible by sending an email to tabakprodukte@bag.admin.ch. The event will be held in French and German.
17th September 2024: Switzerland: The Council of States has approved the partial revision of the Tobacco Products Act, which introduces restrictions on the advertising of tobacco and vaping products to children and adolescents. However, it insisted on exceptions – such as a permitting advertising in publicly accessible places and sponsorship provided it is not accessible or visible to minors. The bill will now go back to the National Council. If it is rejected a second time or the National Council fails to act, the matter will be closed and the parliamentary process will have to start again.
29th August 2024: Switzerland: The Federal Council will put into effect the Tobacco Products Act and the Ordinance on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes on 1st October. Heated tobacco and nicotine pouches will fall under the tobacco regulation and include a uniform ban on sales to under-18s, stricter advertising regulation, sales restrictions, packaging restrictions, reporting requirements and extension to the public usage obligations, among others. Herbal heated products will also be subject to the tobacco law.
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.

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