- 06.09.2024
- News
Illegal Vapes: No Reaction from the Authorities for Six Months
Illegal disposable e-cigarettes are available in 108 Swiss online shops. In the spring of 2024, an AT Switzerland investigation had already reported that most e-cigarettes sold in Switzerland were illegal: The majority of disposable e-cigarettes sold in Switzerland did not comply with the law and exceeded the legally prescribed maximum amount of liquid. A follow-up inspection shows disappointing results: the vast majority of these products are still on sale today. Why are the authorities not taking action?
Screenshot of the page smokenvape.ch from 06 September 2024.
More than 100 online shops still sell illegal vapes in Switzerland
Disposable electronic cigarettes (or Puff Bars, vapes) are very popular: they are cheap and can be purchased freely on the internet without any age control. These small, easy-to-use nicotine bombs are making their mark on Swiss playgrounds, as well as on summer terraces.
Unequivocal legislation
In a survey conducted in March 2024, AT Switzerland reported that the vast majority of disposable e-cigarettes sold in our country did not comply with the law and were sold illegally on online platforms (e.g. Galaxus). According to the law, closed-system e-cigarettes containing nicotine, reusable pods, or disposable Puff Bars may not contain more than 2 ml of liquid or more than 20 mg/ml of nicotine. This provision comes from a 2014 European regulation that also applies in Switzerland. The Tobacco Products Act (TPA), which will come into force on 1 October 2024, will include these identical provisions.
The websites examined by AT Switzerland almost all offered products whose tanks contained more than 2 ml of liquid and were therefore sold illegally. On the internet, we found (and still find!) e-cigarettes equipped with a 4.5 ml tank allowing up to 1,500 puffs.
In a press release, AT Switzerland called on the Confederation and the cantons to enforce the law and contact the retailers who distribute illegal e-cigarettes. The cantonal chemists have also been informed of the situation.
Six Months of Inaction
A new audit and analysis of over 100 websites in August 2024 reported disappointing results: millions of illegal e-cigarettes are still being offered by online sellers. One can only wonder at the almost stubborn passivity of the authorities when it comes to enforcing their own laws. Why don’t they do anything?
The Swiss online retail giant Galaxus has announced that it is immediately removing these illegal products from its online shop. However, the Migros subsidiary continues to offer the illegal products, which is contrary to the philosophy of Migros founder Gottlieb Duttweiler.
We once again exhort Migros and Galaxus to completely stop selling these harmful products.
We also call on the Confederation and the cantons to finally take action against the sale of illegal disposable e-cigarettes and to finally take seriously the protection of children and young people.
Links
https://www.24heures.ch/vapotage-les-puffs-vendues-sur-internet-sont-illegales-788129222405