While the range of tobacco-related products has grown in recent years, their impact on public health is still little known
ostancoff/123RF
The authorities must carry out more research to better understand the addictive risks of new products such as electronic cigarettes and legal cannabis, and impose a new legal framework, the non-governmental organization Addiction Switzerland says.
In its latest “Swiss Panorama of Addictions 2018External link” report published on Tuesday, the NGO called for a ‘new approach’ to cope with the growing offer of psychoactive substances and public demand for new products, which are “shaking up the field of addictions”.
“Numerous consumers want to experiment with new products with as few risks as possible, while manufacturers and firms are looking to make as much profit as they can while rejecting state regulation,” the NGO said.
Addiction Switzerland spokesperson Corine Kibora told swissinfo.ch that more resources must be invested in research to understand the risks of potentially addictive new substances available on the market.
“The only data we have on heat-not-burn tobacco products, for example, comes from the industry itself. We must therefore question their reliability. Secondly, a legal framework must be put in place to deal with new products. Unfortunately, the new tobacco bill, which was put out for consultation last December, has been watered down, particularly with regard to advertising and marketing restrictions,” declared Kibora.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
First hemp cigarettes to sell in Swiss supermarkets
This content was published on
From the middle of this month, the newspaper 20 Minutes reports, hemp cigarettes produced by trendy Swiss-based tobacco manufacturer HeimatExternal link will be available in Coop supermarkets country-wide. Each pack, which Heimat describe as “the world’s first CBD hemp cigarette,” will contain four grams of natural hemp mixed in with their natural Swiss tobacco, and…
‘Swiss marijuana champion’ finds new markets with ‘cannabis light’
This content was published on
There’s decaffeinated coffee, alcohol-free beer, and now marijuana that doesn’t make you high. A producer reveals the hidden side of the market.
Report laments lack of political action on addiction issues
This content was published on
A quarter of the Swiss population smokes and more than half of those want to quit, according to the latest numbers from a report published on Thursday by the national research and advocacy group, Addiction Switzerland, In addition, 21% of people in Switzerland drink alcohol in amounts that could be hazardous, and a quarter million…
This content was published on
Entrenched in Switzerland, the tobacco industry enjoys significant political support, but even that may not be enough to save it.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.