- 29.09.2021
- News
No ratification of the FCTC
Now it is clear: With the weak Tobacco Products Act, Switzerland will have the weakest rules for tobacco advertising in Europe. Ratification of the WHO Framework Convention (FCTC) is thus made impossible, as Federal Councillor Alain Berset emphasised.
Due to insufficient restrictions on sponsorship and advertising, Switzerland has not yet been able to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This will not change with the implementation of the new law. Health Minister Alain Berset (SP) expressed his disappointment after the debate. The bill is not a great step forward and the requirements for ratification of the Framework Convention have not been met.
Switzerland thus remains one of the last Western countries not to have ratified the international Framework Convention.
Insufficient protection of children and young people
In the autumn session, the Federal Assembly only agreed on minimal advertising restrictions. The only new advertising banned is that which is already banned in most cantons and/or whose importance for the tobacco industry is declining: Poster advertising, advertising in cinemas, on public transport, public buildings, on sports fields and sporting events. The decided restriction in print and online media corresponds to the current voluntary industry agreement, which is formulated in such a way that it remains ineffective.
Comparison with the current situation
More on the WHO Framework Convention: https://www.at-schweiz.ch/en/advocacy/recht-gesetz/who-framework-convention/