- The Bundesrat explains the clear yes to the tobacco advertising ban initiative with the dissatisfaction of the voters with the lack of youth protection.
- Health Minister Alain Berset said the referendum demanded that children and young people should be discouraged from smoking more.
The Federal Council, like Parliament, had recommended that the initiative be rejected. The vote was preceded by a long discussion, explained the SP Federal Council.
The Tobacco Products Act was not able to stand up to the voters as an indirect counter-proposal.
In 2015, the state government drew up a bill that would allow ratification of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The parliament then changed the bill significantly. “The Tobacco Products Act was not able to stand up to the voters as an indirect counter-proposal,” said Berset.
The people and the estates have decided that protecting young people from tobacco is currently not enough, says Berset. “The Federal Council will now tackle the implementation of the initiative. We also need to ensure coordination with the new Tobacco Products Act.”
Today’s referendum demands that children and young people should be better protected from tobacco use.