The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Experts warn of ‘confusing’ range of addictive products

vapour of e-cigarette and woman s face
The number of smokers in Switzerland has remained stable at about 25%. © Keystone/Ennio Leanza

The Addiction Switzerland foundation has called for clear rules for the licensing of potentially addictive consumer products on the Swiss market. 

It says there is an increasing and confusing number of potentially addictive products on the market, which makes it difficult for consumers to identify the risks. 

In its latest annual addiction surveyExternal link, published on Tuesday, the group singles out diverse nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, low-tar cigarettes and tobacco for chewing. 

“The increasing variety calls for urgent measures,” says Grégoire Vittoz, director of Addiction Switzerland. He says more regulation was necessary to protect the younger generation. 

Binge drinking and illegal drugs 

The report says binge drinking has become more widespread among all age groups but notably among young women. 

It also highlights the growing consumption of cocaine and ecstasy in Swiss cities and use of illegal cannabis products across Switzerland since 2012. 

The experts also warn of the risks of online purchases of psychoactive drugs and opioid painkillers. Attention is also drawn to the potential risk of addiction for people online, including gambling

Addiction SwitzerlandExternal link is a national non-governmental centre of competence, prevention research and knowledge transfer, set up in 2003.

More


Popular Stories

News

Pay rises planned for Swiss employees next year

More

Workplace

Swiss businesses plan employee pay raises in 2026

This content was published on Swiss companies' expectations for salary growth are down by 0.3 percentage points compared to a year ago, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Economic Research (KOF).

Read more: Swiss businesses plan employee pay raises in 2026
6,400 apprenticeships to be filled this autumn in Switzerland

More

Workplace

Over 6,000 apprenticeships remain unfilled in Switzerland

This content was published on By mid-August, which is the start of the Swiss school year, some 6,400 apprenticeship vacancies remain, mainly in the construction, catering and machinery industries.

Read more: Over 6,000 apprenticeships remain unfilled in Switzerland
Golden Leopard for Japanese film "Tabi to Hibi" at Locarno

More

Culture

Japanese film Tabi to Hibi wins Golden Leopard at Locarno

This content was published on The Japanese film Tabi to Hibi by director Sho Miyake won the Golden Leopard, the top prize in the international competition, on the final day of the Locarno Festival.

Read more: Japanese film Tabi to Hibi wins Golden Leopard at Locarno
5 megatonnes of emissions from 2050 despite net zero

More

Emissions reduction

Switzerland could produce up to 5Mt of emissions annually by 2050

This content was published on Two to five megatonnes of CO2 equivalents per year: this is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that Switzerland is still expected to produce annually in 2050, a new study shows.

Read more: Switzerland could produce up to 5Mt of emissions annually by 2050
Customs duties threaten 100,000 jobs in Switzerland

More

Global trade

US tariffs putting 100,000 jobs at risk in Switzerland

This content was published on US tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports will directly affect 100,000 jobs, mainly in the watchmaking, machinery, metals, and food industries, economiesuisse warns.

Read more: US tariffs putting 100,000 jobs at risk in Switzerland
Switzerland releases four million for Sudan

More

Foreign Affairs

Switzerland releases CHF4 million for Sudan

This content was published on Switzerland has released CHF4 million (nearly $5 million) to help Sudan, which has been severely affected by famine and cholera.

Read more: Switzerland releases CHF4 million for Sudan

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR