Vape users should be able to buy nicotine in Switzerland for their e-cigarette. But the latter should be associated with a normal cigarette, in the future prohibited from sale at least 18 years of age and subject to advertising restrictions. The Federal Council submitted its draft new law on tobacco products to Parliament on Wednesday. Despite criticism in consultation, he has only slightly reworked his proposals, which he considers balanced. Apart from details on delegations of power to the government, he only returned to the ban on the distribution of tobacco products by minors.
An alternative for smokers
By authorizing the sale of electronic cigarettes with nicotine, the Minister of Health Alain Berset wishes to offer smokers an alternative that is less harmful to health. Without however considering the e-cigarette as a therapeutic product. The current situation, which forces vapers to obtain their vials of liquid with nicotine abroad is not satisfactory. Finally, the new legislation will make it possible to set requirements on composition, declaration and labeling.
Issues to be resolved
The introduction of a maximum rate of nicotine will only be decided by the Federal Council at the level of the ordinance. The European Union (EU) limits the concentration to 20 mg / ml and only allows cartridges of 10 ml or less.
Another issue that will have to be resolved by prescription: the addition of substances giving a vanilla or other taste. The law would authorize the Federal Council to ban ingredients causing a significant increase in toxicity, dependence or facilitating inhalation. He could also decide in this way if he wants to wring the neck of the mentholated cibiches that the EU will ban in 2020. Even if they are considered less harmful, e-cigarettes should nonetheless be subject to the same restrictions as traditional cigarettes. There is therefore no question of vaping in places where smoking is already prohibited.
Protect health and the economy
The Federal Council is also planning to toughen up the legislation to better protect young people against smoking. However, it does not want to go as far as most European countries in this area. For him, it is a question of weighing the interests between public health and economic freedom. The minimum age to be able to buy a package of "dry" should be raised to 18 years throughout Switzerland. Ten cantons have already taken the plunge. Twelve cantons (AG / AR / FR / GL / GR / LU / SG / SO / TG / UR / VS / ZH) currently allow sale to minors between 16 and 18 years old. Four cantons (GE / OW / SZ / AI) have no legislation.
It will now also be possible to make test purchases to check that these requirements are met. The ban on vending machines, demanded by the Lung League, is however not on the agenda. The machines will however have to prevent access to minors, an obligation which currently requires sliding a token or its identity card into the device.
Restricted advertising
Advertising department, advertisements for tobacco products would no longer be authorized either on posters in public spaces or in cinemas, in the written press, or on the Internet. The distribution of free samples should also be prohibited, while the granting of discounts on the price of cigarettes is only partially authorized. Sponsorship of festivals and open air of national importance would continue to be legal, but not of international events. It would still be possible to advertise on items directly related to tobacco or in points of sale, but not on everyday consumer items.
No more giving away gifts to consumers or giving away winnings at contests. Direct promotion by hostesses would still be allowed, as well as personal advertising directed at adult consumers.
Source : 20 minutes
