Cabinet moots ban on laser pointers

Police in Switzerland recorded an increasing number of incidents with illegal laser pointers Keystone

The government is planning to outlaw powerful laser pointers considered a serious health risk for the population and an increasing danger for pilots or drivers. It has also proposed stricter surveillance of the technical equipment of solariums.

A new law is to define the correct use as well as the trade in products which emit so called non-ionising radiation, according to the Federal Health Office.

The sale of strong hand-held laser pointers is banned in Switzerland, but there is concern that they are imported from abroad via the internet circumventing customs controls.

Over the past few years, police recorded an increase in incidents where aircraft pilots and car as well as truck drivers were injured by lasers pointed at them.

The government also plans to introduce closer controls of commercial tanning studios to ensure the operators use the equipment without causing harm to clients.

However, medical lasers for cosmetic surgery or low frequency electromagnetic radiation from electric power supplies lines and household appliances are not directly affected by the proposed regulation.

A draft bill, approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, has been sent for consultation among political parties, associations and cantons before the bill is submitted to parliament for discussion.