National Council backs bill to ban tobacco advertising
Published: Thursday, Feb 29th 2024, 09:40
Volver a Live Feed
The National Council wants to discuss the bill to implement the tobacco advertising ban initiative in detail. It voted clearly in favor of the matter on Thursday. The SVP failed to refer the bill back to the Federal Council for revision.
Children and young people will no longer be allowed to see advertising for tobacco products in future. This was written into the constitution by the people and the cantons in February 2022 with the popular initiative "Children and young people without tobacco advertising (tobacco advertising ban initiative)".
Andreas Glarner (SVP/AG) argued on behalf of his parliamentary group that the Federal Council had gone beyond the text of the popular initiative "Yes to the protection of children and young people from tobacco advertising" in its draft. "We want a sensible law that can be implemented in practice and that implements the initiative, but no more."
Glarner referred to the free market economy. It should not be the case that tobacco advertising should be banned in publications such as the "Bilanz" or the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung". "I don't know any minors who read these press products." The planned sponsorship ban for tobacco companies would also mean that many events would be put on hold.
"Adequate implementation"
However, the large chamber rejected the referral motion by 126 votes to 59 with 2 abstentions. It will now discuss the Tobacco Products Act in detail. The central question is likely to be how literally the referendum should be implemented.
Lorenz Hess (center/BE) pleaded on behalf of the Commission for Social Security and Health (SGK-N) for an "adequate and swift implementation" of the initiative. The majority proposals would fulfill the demands of the initiative.
On behalf of her parliamentary group, Regine Sauter (FDP/ZH) pointed out that the initiative does not provide for a comprehensive ban on advertising. Tobacco advertising should only not reach minors. Adults could buy tobacco products legally. It must therefore also be possible to advertise to this target group. "Let's be as liberal as possible and as restrictive as necessary," said Sauter.
"Disregard for the will of the people"
The left wing of the Council warned against watering down the constitutional article. Barbara Gysi (SP/SG) said that with the majority proposals, the preliminary consultation committee was disregarding the will of the people and damaging the health of young people.
Parliament is about to violate the constitution, Manuela Weichelt (Greens/ZG) also stated. This was also confirmed by a report drawn up by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and consolidated by the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ). Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider also referred to this report. It was up to Parliament to implement the initiative in accordance with the constitution.
Melanie Mettler (GLP/BE) pointed out on behalf of her parliamentary group that many questions regarding the implementation of the initiative could not be answered clearly. "There is no black and white." It is undisputed that children and young people must be protected from tobacco advertising.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic