An initiative demanding a ban on tobacco advertising has collected 109,969 valid signatures, more than the 100,000 minimum required to launch a popular vote, according to RTS.
The planned vote entitled: “Yes to the protection of children and young people against tobacco advertising” demands the federal government ban all forms of tobacco advertising towards children and young people.
In practice such a ban would include banning all tobacco advertising in public places, in cinemas, at festivals and on the internet.
57% of smokers start when they are children, according to the Swiss Medical Federation, which supports the initiative. If children don’t start smoking when they are young they are unlikely to smoke as adults.
In addition, tobacco use costs Switzerland 5 billion francs a year – CHF 3 billion in direct medical costs and CHF 2 billion in costs associated with disability and early death.
Full story here Are you the author?
Tags: Editor's Choice,Environment,Health,newsletter,Parenting,Personal finance,Swiss referenda
