Ticino tightens the screws on smokers

Smokers are to stub out their cigarettes in public places in Ticino Keystone

The southern canton of Ticino on Thursday becomes the first in Switzerland to totally outlaw smoking in public places.

Several other cantons are considering whether to follow suit, while a nationwide ban has also been mooted.

Last March citizens in Ticino decided to follow neighbouring Italy’s lead and voted overwhelming in favour of banning smoking in bars, restaurants and discos.

However, the local authorities announced this week that the cantonal parliament had decided to extend the ban to cover administrative buildings, schools, shopping centres, museums and public transport, including taxis.

Antoine Casablanca, from the canton’s health office, said that Ticino had long intended to implement further restrictions on smoking. It had also been encouraged by Italy’s example, where the ban had been well received.

“In Switzerland, Ticino is the absolute pioneer in this matter,” said Casablanca.

Hefty costs

Anyone caught lighting up in banned areas could face a fine of up to SFr10,000 ($8,200).

Bars and restaurants are still allowed to construct separate and well-ventilated smoking rooms. However, the costs involved has put many off the idea.

Only three of Ticino’s 2,700 catering establishments have so far asked for permission to build so-called fumoirs. Several other requests are pending.

Anti-smoking measures seem to be gathering pace in Switzerland. Canton Solothurn will enforce a tough ban on smoking in public places in two years’ time.

Bern and Valais are considering stricter rules, while people’s initiatives have been launched in several other cantons including Geneva and Fribourg.

Smoking has been banned on the entire Swiss public rail network since December 2005.

National ban?

Pressure is now mounting for a national ban. Earlier this year, a parliamentary initiative demanded the government modify Switzerland’s labour laws to banish smoke in the workplace.

It is now up to cabinet to finalise draft legislation. But even if parliament approves it, opponents would still have the right to challenge the new law in a nationwide vote.

Supporters of a ban believe it is about time that Switzerland made some progress towards tougher anti-smoking legislation.

“We have taken up this change concerning smoking rather late,” said centre-right Radical parliamentarian Felix Gutzwiller recently. “We are lagging behind other countries.”

According to recent surveys, a majority of the population is in favour of smoking bans.

swissinfo with agencies

Key facts

A government report has found that around 400 people die every year from the effects of passive smoking.
The cost to the economy is about SFr500 million a year.
About 30% of the Swiss population smoke, according to 2005 figures.

Situation in Europe

France: smoking has been banned in public places since February. Cafés, restaurants and discos have until the beginning of 2008 to implement the ban.

Italy: smoking banned from all public places since January 2005.

Britain: ban in public places and workplaces from July this year.

The Netherlands, Norway, Ireland: bans on either public places or workplaces since 2004. Spain and Denmark to introduce prohibitions this year.

European Union: the commission has issued recommendations for banning smoking, which could become applicable by 2008.