Tobacco multinationals and Switzerland accused by OxySuisse of violating human rights – rts.ch

Produced in collaboration with the American organization Action Against Smoking and for Health, the OxySuisse report analyzes the influence of the tobacco industry from a human rights perspective.

According to the report, the tobacco industry is incompatible with basic human rights. The production and marketing of products causing dependence and death violate the right to health, the right to life and the right to a healthy environment, affirms OxySuisse.

>> On influential multinationals present in Switzerland, read: The University of Neuchâtel collaborates with researchers paid by Philip Morris

Smoking causes around 9,500 deaths in Switzerland each year and 8 million worldwide.

Switzerland delays

In terms of the fight against smoking, Switzerland is far behind, points out the NGO: it is positioned in 36th place out of 37 European countries in this area.

>> Read also: Towards a tobacco-free society in the United Kingdom

This delay could be explained by the weight of the tobacco industry in the Swiss Confederation, according to OxySuisse. “The establishment in Switzerland of two of the influential large tobacco multinationals is one of the reasons for this lack of application of effective smoking prevention policies (…) We (Switzerland, editor’s note) often favor commercial interests of these companies to the detriment of the right to health of the Swiss population”, denounces Michela Canevascini, director of OxySuisse at the microphone of La Matinale on Tuesday.

For OxySuisse, adopting stricter regulations is essential to respect Switzerland’s international commitments and protect public health.

>> On the subject, read: Switzerland, a bad student in the fight against smoking et The ban on tobacco advertising is struggling to be implemented

Miruna Coca Cozma / half