Swiss Senate Votes to Retain Exceptions in Tobacco Advertising

Sep.19.2024
Swiss Senate Votes to Retain Exceptions in Tobacco Advertising
Swiss Senate approves tobacco ad restrictions with exceptions, sparking debate on child protection and advertising regulations in Switzerland.

According to Swissinfo, on September 17, the Swiss Senate insists on retaining exceptions in the nationwide tobacco advertising restrictions. These restrictions will come into effect after being approved by a national referendum.


The two chambers of parliament in Switzerland are currently debating how to implement the popular initiative approved by voters in 2022 to protect children from the influence of tobacco advertising.


The federal commission hopes to ensure through legislative amendments that advertising for tobacco products and e-cigarettes no longer targets children and adolescents, as required by the Constitution. In a vote on Monday (16th), the Senate passed the bill with 28 votes in favor, 12 against, and 4 abstentions. However, lawmakers did not completely ban tobacco advertising, but instead included exceptions in the law.


As discussed in a group session in the fall of 2023, the Senate voted in favor of explicitly exempting mobile salespeople in public places in the law. Additionally, tobacco advertising and sponsored events in public places should still be allowed as long as the advertisements are not visible or accessible to minors.


In the second round of discussions, the Senate only strengthened the wording of the exemption clause in the second review. However, the Senate rejected minority motions to follow the national government and abandon the exception clause, with one exception.


Currently, the issue has returned to the hands of the House of Representatives. In the initial discussion in February, the House of Representatives rejected the bill in a general vote, effectively deciding not to enter debate. The Swiss People's Party believes that the provisions of the plan are too stringent, while the left-wing camp believes that the proposed exemptions violate the constitution and is calling for stricter rules to be established.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA ONYX, a new tobacco stick line for IQOS ILUMA devices, on October 15, 2026. The initial products, AMANG PEARL and CALI PEARL, feature tropical-inspired flavors, Fresh Filters and capsules designed to deliver different flavor experiences before and after activation. Both are priced at KRW 4,800 per pack and are available at convenience stores nationwide and IQOS-operated stores in South Korea. The launch expands the Korean TEREA portfolio from four product lines to five, following earlier capsule tobacco stick additions in 2026.
product
Oct.23
Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Azerbaijan's sweeping e-cigarette ban has raised concerns over enforcement errors and the emergence of illicit sales, while neighboring Armenia is tightening technical rules and preparing higher excise taxes. Georgia, meanwhile, has resisted calls for broader vape restrictions and introduced preferential taxes for some domestically produced cigarettes. The divergent approaches across the South Caucasus highlight a regional policy dilemma: how to curb nicotine use and protect public health without encouraging black markets or creating unintended economic consequences for businesses and consumers.
Nov.03
IVG Parent Secures HMRC Excise Warehouse and Duty Stamp Approvals Ahead of UK Vape Tax
IVG Parent Secures HMRC Excise Warehouse and Duty Stamp Approvals Ahead of UK Vape Tax
Acme Vape Ltd, the company behind UK vaping brand IVG, has received HM Revenue & Customs approval to operate an excise warehouse for vaping products and participate in the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme. The UK's Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026, at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Acme Vape Ltd says its approved warehouse in Preston will become operational under the new regime on the same date.
Regulations
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report | Altria's NACS Booth Raises Questions Over U.S. Tobacco Advertising Warnings
Special Report | Altria's NACS Booth Raises Questions Over U.S. Tobacco Advertising Warnings
During its coverage of Altria's booth at NACS Show 2026, 2Firsts documented product displays that prompted questions about U.S. tobacco advertising warning requirements. Following public comments from a former FDA official, 2Firsts sought responses from Altria and independently consulted U.S. regulatory lawyer Azim Chowdhury. Altria maintained that its B2B communications complied with applicable laws, while Chowdhury explained that federal warning rules provide no general trade-show exemption for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The special report examines the broader regulatory implications.
Nov.04
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea's Constitutional Court has upheld fixed taxes on nicotine-containing e-cigarette liquids based on solution volume, ruling that challenged provisions imposing KRW 370 per milliliter in individual consumption tax and KRW 628 per milliliter in tobacco consumption tax do not violate the Constitution. The cases stemmed from historical disputes involving importers that reported nicotine as being extracted from tobacco stems rather than leaves. South Korea has since broadened its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine, while current tax laws provide reduced rates for certain products not derived from tobacco.
Sep.18
Philip Morris Malaysia Again Meets Religious Authority Over Cigarette Alternatives as Perlis Mufti Responds on Halal Criteria
Philip Morris Malaysia Again Meets Religious Authority Over Cigarette Alternatives as Perlis Mufti Responds on Halal Criteria
Philip Morris Malaysia Managing Director Naeem Shahab Khan met Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on September 17 and presented the company's shift from conventional cigarettes toward alternative products. The mufti said a product could be considered halal if it is clean, its side effects are not harmful or can be controlled, and it does not involve excessive waste. His remarks did not mention IQOS or any other specific PMI product and did not amount to a new product-specific religious ruling. It was at least the second publicly reported engagement between Philip Morris Malaysia and a Malaysian religious institution over cigarette alternatives within six months.
Regulations
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives