Switzerland Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes
Yesterday (June 4), the Swiss Senate passed a motion banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. Members of the People’s Party and most lawmakers from the center-right Radical-Liberal Party opposed the proposal, but it ultimately passed by 19 votes to 11
Yesterday (June 4), the Swiss Senate passed a motion banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. Lawmakers from the People’s Party and most members of the center-right Radical-Liberal Party opposed the motion, which ultimately passed by 19 votes to 11. The motion had already been approved by the House of Representatives in 2024.
The Federal Council initially opposed the motion, rejecting any ban that could create technical barriers to trade. Hannes Germann, a lawmaker from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, said Switzerland should not act alone, calling for pragmatism and noting that the EU has not banned such products.
However, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider accepted the decision and said she was aware of the problem. European countries such as France and the UK have already taken action, and the Swiss cantons of Valais and Jura have adopted similar measures. The minister acknowledged that other measures proposed by the government, such as reducing the appeal of tax advantages or raising tax rates, would not have the same effect.
