A bill tabled in Geneva to ban puffs

A bill tabled in Geneva to ban puffs – rts.ch

After Jura and Valais, will the canton of Geneva in turn ban the sale of puffs? This is what two members of the Grand Council want, who tabled a bill on Saturday to ban these disposable electronic cigarettes.

The puffs have been the subject of strong criticism since their arrival on Swiss newsstands a few years ago. Their detractors note a nicotine content sometimes beyond the norm, increased risks of addiction or even a possible presence of heavy metals.

Added to this is poor recycling, with many cigarettes being thrown in the trash rather than returned to stores, also raising fears of fires caused by their lithium batteries.

“It’s an ecological and health aberration. In a few years, they have spread in a completely astonishing way,” Louise Trottet said in Forum on Saturday, shortly after the text was submitted. The Green MP is the co-author alongside Raphaël Dunand, of the Liberties and Social Justice movement.

Sales to minors despite the ban

However, these products are very popular among young people. According to a Unisanté study, nearly two thirds of 13-25 year olds have already inhaled smoke.

In 2020, the Geneva Grand Council voted unanimously to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. However, in the eyes of Louise Trottet, this measure does not work either. In this regard, she cites the results of the last test purchase campaign carried out in 2023. Nearly half of the attempts resulted in the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes.

Do not wait for the Confederation to act

The question of a total ban is also being debated at the federal level. The National Council approved a motion last year to ban puffs. The Council of States must consider the subject in March.

Louise Trottet does not want to wait for Berne to position itself. “The cantons can act much more quickly,” says the Green MP. At the European level, France, Belgium and Germany have already banned single-use electronic cigarettes.