More than a quarter of all Swiss people smoke. Although most people are aware that tobacco use can be associated with major limitations to their health. But quitting smoking is not that easy. Therefore, the measures to prevent already children and adolescents from a possible addiction are intensifying. One initiative called for a ban on tobacco advertising.
Smoking is dangerous. Every child knows that. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and various cancers. More than one in seven deaths is attributable to diseases caused by smoking. Passive smoking also harms health to a similar extent as smoking itself. Smoking is the greatest preventable health risk in Western industrialized nations. In Switzerland, 9500 people die each year from the consequences of tobacco consumption. Despite a trend reversal toward greater health awareness, tobacco use remains at a high level of nearly 2 million smokers [1,2]. These figures are expected to adjust downward in the future. Therefore, measures are taken to warn children and young people not only about the dangers of the addictive substance. They should not be made aware of it in the first place. On February 13, the popular initiative “Yes to the protection of children and adolescents from tobacco advertising (children and adolescents without tobacco advertising)” was therefore adopted. The initiative demands that all tobacco advertising that reaches children and adolescents be banned. A maximum period of three years is provided for this [3]. Advertising for tobacco products is permitted in Switzerland under restrictions. However, advertising aimed specifically at minors is prohibited. Neither is it permitted to give promotional gifts to minors or to distribute cigarettes free of charge. Tobacco advertising is generally prohibited on radio and television. And in the majority of cantons, there is also a ban on tobacco advertising on billboards and in cinemas, as well as on sponsoring events. On the basis of the initiative, only advertising such as promotional e-mails, brochures or targeted advertising on the Internet to which minors do not have access is now possible. The initiative goes too far for the Federal Council and Parliament. However, since this was adopted by a majority, statutory implementing provisions must now be adopted by Feb. 13, 2025.
Literature:
- www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/gesundheit/determinanten/tabak.html (last accessed on 30.01.2022)
- www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/gesund-leben/sucht-und-gesundheit/tabak.html (last accessed on 11.03.2022)
- www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/strategie-und-politik/politische-auftraege-und-aktionsplaene/politische-auftraege-zur-tabakpraevention/tabakpolitik-schweiz/volksinitiative-kinder-ohne-tabakwerbung.html (last accessed on 11.03.2022)
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