Lure of e-cigarettes for schoolchildren raises alarm
Swiss law changes are underway to protect minors from e-cigarettes.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Half of Swiss boys and a third of girls aged 15 have tried e-cigarettes at least once, suggests a survey of addiction among schoolchildren. The finding has alarmed the group Addiction Switzerland, which carried out the study of 11,000 children between the ages of 11 and 15.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Alarma la atracción de cigarrillos electrónicos entre escolares
This is a higher rate than for smokers of conventional cigarettes. The figure for vaping was 21% for boys and 13% for girls. The addiction surveyExternal link, conducted last year, included the e-cigarette and vaping categories for the first time.
“Vaping should not become normal consumer behaviour among young people,” said Grégoire Vittoz, director of Addiction Switzerland, in a statement. Swiss law is currently being adapted to protect minors from the new phenomenon, just like tobacco products.
But Addiction SwitzerlandExternal link also called for such products to be priced beyond the means of schoolchildren, and for advertising restrictions to better protect children. The organisation pointed out that nicotine is addictive and can damage brain development in young people.
swissinfo.ch
In most cases, marginally fewer 15-year-olds said they had tried addictive substances compared to the previous survey in 2014.
In 2018, 10% of boys and 8% of girls said they smoked conventional cigarettes at least once a week. In 2014 the respective figures were 12% and 9%.
Some 11% of boys and 4% of girls drank alcohol at least once a week (10% and 6% in 2014).
The survey also found that 27% of boys and 17% of girls had used illegal cannabis at least once in their lives (30% and 19% in 2014). The figures for trying CBD (cannabidiol) products were 9% and 5% for boys and girls.
This content was published on
Young people will not be allowed to buy cigarettes under a draft law put forward by the government. But critics say what about tobacco advertising?
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Switzerland must pay more than originally planned for US F-35 fighter jets
This content was published on
Switzerland has been unable to push through a fixed-price deal (CHF6 billion) with the United States for 36 new F-35 fighter jets.
This content was published on
A small two-seater plane crashed into Lake Geneva near Vevey on Tuesday afternoon. The two people on board were able to escape from the submerged aircraft without any injuries.
Swiss National Bank publishes new banknote designs
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is working on a new series of banknotes on the theme of “Switzerland and its altitudes”. Twelve designs for the new series have been submitted and the public's opinion is now being sought.
US envoy meets Sudan army chief in Switzerland to discuss peace proposal
This content was published on
Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and US envoy for Africa Massad Boulos met in Switzerland to discuss a US peace plan aimed at ending the civil war in Sudan.
This content was published on
Late Shift [Heldin], a film by about overworked nurses, is Switzerland's candidate for the Best International Feature Film award at the Oscars next year.
US tariffs: most Swiss rule out making future concessions, survey reveals
This content was published on
According to a survey published on Wednesday, most Swiss residents are against offering concessions to the US in the current tariff dispute.
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
E-cigarette industry agrees to voluntary sales ban for minors
This content was published on
The code of conduct from the consortium of tobacco manufacturers and large retailers will come into force on October 1. Some 38 companies have previously signed up to an earlier charter from the Swiss Vape Trade Association, which also seeks to protect minors from such products. The signatories of the latest agreement have undertaken not…
This content was published on
The American company JUUL, which specializes in the manufacture of electronic cigarettes, is preparing to set up in the Swiss city of Zug.
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.