Federal body slams negative influence of tobacco industry
The health debate around smoking is being influenced by the tobacco sector.
Keystone / Martin Ruetschi
A government-led anti-smoking body has called on lawmakers to ignore lobbying from the powerful Swiss tobacco industry that “undermines health policy objectives”. Parliament has been accused of dragging its feet over proposed new tobacco laws.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
The Federal Commission for Tobacco PreventionExternal link accuses three international tobacco giants, with regional headquarters in Switzerland, of manipulating the debate with their own campaigns that promise alternative solutions to smoking related health problems.
“Past experience with the tobacco industry has shown that it is extremely difficult to regulate an industry that is so financially powerful, but so deadly, whose legal products make its consumers dependent and thus generate high profits. Yet regulation is needed.”
Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International all have a strong presence in Switzerland.
The Tobacco Prevention Commission says lawmakers should focus on the three pillars of preventing people from starting tobacco consumption, encouraging existing smokers to quit and protecting people from passive smoking.
The Commission also said that e-cigarettes, put forward by the tobacco industry as a “less harmful” alternative, should be more strictly regulated.
More
More
Will tobacco-friendly Switzerland change its tune on smoking laws?
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of a handful of countries that has not ratified a major global tobacco control treaty. Is change in the air?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss-backed ‘Hera’ asteroid mission hits key milestone with Mars flyby
This content was published on
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Red Planet’s gravity will tweak the probe’s path, cutting months off the journey and saving a lot of fuel.
Swiss man arrested over Geneva parcel bomb attacks
This content was published on
A 61-year-old Swiss man was arrested in Geneva in connection with the parcel bomb incidents that left a man and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
This content was published on
Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Swiss pharma giant Roche partners with Zealand Pharma on new obesity treatment
This content was published on
Roche announced that it has struck an exclusive deal with Denmark's Zealand Pharma to develop and market petrelintide, a new treatment for obesity.
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Lure of e-cigarettes for schoolchildren raises alarm
This content was published on
This is a higher rate than for smokers of conventional cigarettes. The figure for vaping was 21% for boys and 13% for girls. The addiction surveyExternal link, conducted last year, included the e-cigarette and vaping categories for the first time. “Vaping should not become normal consumer behaviour among young people,” said Grégoire Vittoz, director of…
Sale of chewing tobacco ruled legal in Switzerland
This content was published on
The high court ruled on the appeal of an importer whose goods – nearly 250 kilogrammes of Odens 10 Extreme White chewing tobacco – had been refused entry in 2016 by Basel customs inspectors. Last year, the Federal Administrative Court confirmed that this was in compliance with food legislation. The Federal Court, which on Tuesday annulled the administrative court’s…
This content was published on
Voters are likely to have the final say on a proposal to ban tobacco advertising targeting both minors and adults in Switzerland.
This content was published on
Around 80 Japan Tobacco International (JTI) staff gathered outside their Geneva headquarters on Tuesday to share their concerns about job cuts.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.