Switzerland: A quarter of sanctioned retailers continue to sell tobacco to minors

Test purchases of tobacco products were made in 2024 from establishments in the canton of Vaud that had been inspected in 2023 and had violated the ban on sales to minors. In 2024, 25.5% of them again sold tobacco to young people aged 14 to 17.

According to a press release[1] In the canton of Vaud, among the 362 establishments that illegally accepted sales to minors last year and that were inspected again, 91 again sold to a minor. This alarming figure reflects the urgency of better regulating tobacco sales in the region according to local authorities. Repeat offenders were sanctioned again with a temporary one-month sales ban.

These test purchases are supervised by the Cantonal Commercial Police (PCC), Unisanté and the Vaud Foundation against Alcoholism (FVA).

A ban on sales to minors in force since 2006 in the canton

In the canton of Vaud, the ban on the sale of tobacco to under-18s has been in force since 2006 and in July 2024, the Vaud law was amended to include all nicotine products. Since October 2024, the new federal regulations on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes prohibit the sale of these products to minors under the age of 18 throughout Switzerland.

In 2023, a quarter of the shops and vending machines authorized to sell tobacco were randomly selected (400 out of 1,600) for test purchases. The results showed that 30 % of the shops had sold tobacco to minors. Furthermore, the legal signage requirements concerning the ban on sales were visible in only 43% of the outlets checked. The results also show that vending machines were a significant source of violations.

Purchases conducted in 2024 highlight clear improvements: of the 113 businesses in breach in 2023, 98 were still in business and were subject to new mystery shopper visits in 2024. The results show that 25% of them reoffended by selling tobacco to minors. However, the display of mandatory warnings almost doubled between the two years. By comparison, test purchases or mystery shopper visits conducted in 2007 showed sales rates of 80% to minors and 70% in 2011. In 2024, the rate of sales through vending machines appears to have decreased and generally corresponds to a level of infringement equivalent to that of hand sales. From July 2025, all tobacco vending machines will have to have an ID reader system in Switzerland.

Continue controls until 2026

Faced with this situation, the authorities of the canton of Vaud are considering strengthening control and awareness-raising measures. This includes more frequent visits to points of sale, increased penalties for offenders and better training for traders on their legal obligations. The authorities add that the Vaud campaign of test purchases of tobacco and alcohol will continue until 2026.

The new federal law of October 2024 allows all cantons to carry out test purchases, supervised by a manual published by the State to ensure their proper implementation. These repeated checks according to a harmonized approach at the national level could promote better compliance with the regulations and a reduction in sales to minors.

[1] Communicated, A quarter of establishments visited in 2024 reoffended by selling tobacco to minors, published on December 11, 2024, consulted on December 19, 2024