Key Points
- Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act took effect on Oct. 1, 2024, creating unified rules for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.
- Basel authorities tested 32 disposable vapes and e-liquids, with only three compliant products.
- Twenty-one products were banned due to issues including liquid capacity, nicotine levels and ingredients.
- Zurich established a dedicated tobacco product enforcement unit with annual costs of about CHF800,000 ($900,000).
- Youth purchase tests in Solothurn found violations in 24 of 80 checks, representing a 30% violation rate.
2Firsts
August 12, 2026
According to Swiss media outlet Blick on Aug. 4, 2026, local authorities are expanding compliance checks on vape products, nicotine pouches and other tobacco and nicotine products following the implementation of Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act.
The revised tobacco rules took effect on Oct. 1, 2024, introducing nationwide requirements for cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and other products containing tobacco or nicotine. The legislation aims to strengthen consumer protection, particularly for minors, while increasing compliance requirements for manufacturers and retailers.
Basel Testing Finds Only Three Compliant Vape Products
Swiss authorities have found that some vape products on the market do not meet the new regulatory requirements.
In Basel, the cantonal laboratory tested 32 disposable vapes and e-liquids.
The results showed:
- only three products met regulatory requirements;
- 21 products were banned from sale.
Authorities identified issues including:
- excessive e-liquid capacity;
- non-compliant nicotine levels;
- problematic product ingredients.
A separate case involving a Geneva vape retailer also reached Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court.
The retailer attempted to bypass capacity limits by selling a device with an additional tank that allowed it to hold more liquid than permitted. The court ruled that such a product could not be sold in Switzerland due to the risk of unintended excessive nicotine intake.
Cantons Expand Tobacco Product Enforcement Capacity
Following the implementation of the new rules, Swiss cantons have begun building more systematic tobacco product enforcement systems.
Zurich, Switzerland’s largest canton by population, created a dedicated tobacco product enforcement unit responsible for:
- inspecting manufacturers;
- checking retail stores and online shops;
- reviewing advertising;
- conducting laboratory testing.
The unit received funding for two additional full-time positions, with annual costs of about CHF800,000 ($900,000) covering personnel, test purchases and laboratory analysis.
The enforcement framework expands beyond traditional tobacco products to include vaping and nicotine products.
Youth Sales Remain Enforcement Priority
In addition to product compliance checks, Swiss authorities are using test purchases to determine whether retailers sell tobacco and nicotine products to minors.
In Solothurn, authorities conducted 80 test purchases and found 24 cases where businesses illegally sold tobacco products or vapes to minors.
The violation rate was:
30%
The figure was similar to the previous year’s rate of 31.3%.
Local authorities said cigarette use among young people has remained stable, while vapes and other nicotine products are becoming increasingly relevant among youth.
Switzerland Moves Into Stricter Vape Compliance Phase
Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act has strengthened requirements not only for vape products but also for advertising, sales practices and youth protection.
The rules include:
- banning sales of tobacco, nicotine and vape products to people under 18;
- extending some indoor smoking restrictions to vapes and heated tobacco products;
- restricting outdoor, cinema and public transport advertising.
For the vape industry, Switzerland’s regulatory shift means market access increasingly depends on product compliance, retail controls and marketing requirements.
As cantonal authorities continue enforcement activities, Switzerland’s vape and nicotine product market is entering a stricter compliance phase.
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Cover Image source: Blick
