With the authorization of nicotine e-liquids in Switzerland at the beginning of the year, a problem has appeared: Sale to less than 18 years. Need for self-regulation for some people, real scandal for others, the Swiss authorities are working on the issue. Recently, the State Council adopted a bill to limit the purchase of tobacco-related products and the e-cigarette is obviously concerned.
SOON ILLEGAL TO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS
Whether in a kiosk or in stores, it will soon be illegal to sell cigarettes to minors. In any case, this is what the Council of State hopes for. The latter adopted a bill to this effect on Wednesday, while Geneva is to date the only French-speaking canton not to impose a minimum age for the purchase of tobacco.
The cantonal parliament will still have to decide. State Councilor Mauro Poggia, responsible for health, is optimistic: “A clear majority should emerge on such a public health issue; I hope for a vote before the end of the year.»
The ban therefore targets cigarettes, free samples distributed in the evening but also roll-your-own tobacco, hookah tobacco and electronic cigarettes. "Allowing minors to start smoking in this way opens the door to more harmful consumption later with real tobacco."Says the magistrate.
A BAN ON ADVERTISING FOR MORE EFFICIENCY?
If a ban on the sale of tobacco products to those under 18 seems a good thing for Dr. Jean-Paul Humair, president of the Geneva Prevention Center 
smoking, he also thinks that you should not get carried away: " This is a satisfactory measure, which goes in the direction of the WHO recommendations in the field of public health, he notes. This is not, however, the most optimal strategy for combating smoking. ". A price increase and the ban on advertising would give even better results, according to the practitioner.
The Health Service and the Labor Inspection Office will be responsible for verifying the legality of sales. In addition, the future law promises fines of 1000 to 80 francs to offenders, as well as the possible closure of offending businesses.
Source : 20min.ch/
