STÉPHANE HERZOG “This is a significant improvement.” Camille Robert, co-director of the “Groupement romand d’études des addictions” (GREA) network, recalls her sense of satisfaction when the popular initiative “Yes to protecting children and young adults from tobacco advertising” was accepted in February 2022. This constitutional article should come into force in 2024. The Federal Council has announced that “it will result in an almost total ban on advertising, since there are few places or media which minors cannot access”. These provisions will be incorporated into the tobacco products act. Launched in 2015, it aims to regulate a wide variety of products, all of which serve to deliver nicotine to consumers, e.g. cigarettes, heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, tobacco placed between the gums (snuff/snus), nicotine substitutes. Despite this progress, prevention groups remain wary. “Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a total ban on advertising, Swiss law stipulates a list of certain bans on advertising and sponsorship, which will leave space for the tobacco companies,” comments Vanessa Prince, project manager at Unisanté (VD). Pascal Diethelm, president of the OxySuisse association, also sees a major flaw. “By focusing attention on the under-18 group, this law risks reinforcing tobacco’s appeal among young people as forbidden fruit”. As an example, he refers to a booth set up at the last Montreux Festival by British American Tobacco, reserved solely for adults. “It’s exclusive, and that attracts young people,” he adds. Such messages normalising tobacco use can be found on social networks. “Smoking is a juvenile disease that is being transmitted through social networks on a wide scale,” states Swiss physician Reto Auer, who works with Unisanté. According to Around 27 per cent of all Swiss smoke. The habit is particularly prevalent among young people. Switzerland ranks second to last in Europe in terms of tobacco prevention. Photo: Keystone Smoking among the young: Switzerland lags behind Switzerland is currently at the bottom of the European ranking in the fight against smoking. An initiative banning advertising aimed at minors was approved in 2022. Prevention is now facing off against the might of Big Tobacco. Swiss Review / March 2023 / No.2 22 Politics
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