Switzerland Moves to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes

Switzerland Disposable Vape Ban

Switzerland’s Federal Councils are set to ban disposable electronic cigarettes, commonly known as “Puff Bars.” Following the National Council’s approval in June 2024, the Council of States (Ständerat) also voted in favor of the ban on Wednesday, with 19 votes to 11 and 3 abstentions. Refillable, rechargeable e-cigarettes will be exempt from this prohibition.

The motion, originally introduced by Green Party member Christophe Clivaz, gained support due to concerns over youth appeal and environmental impact. The majority of the responsible committee highlighted that these products, with their relatively low prices, attractive flavors, and designs, primarily target young people, exposing them to high addiction potential. Flavia Wasserfallen (SP/BE) noted during the debate that nine out of ten “Puffs” are improperly disposed of, and teachers reported even 12-year-old students struggling to wait until breaks to use them.

Despite the Federal Council initially recommending against the motion, it must now draft the necessary legislative changes. Imports of disposable e-cigarettes have reportedly been rising by nearly 30% annually, with ten million units imported in 2022 since their introduction to the Swiss market in 2020.

Matthew Ma
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