Test purchases of tobacco products were carried out in 2024 from establishments in the canton of Vaud, which had been inspected in 2023 and had violated the ban on sales to minors. In 2024, 25.5% of them will again sell tobacco to young people aged 14 to 17.
According to a press release[1] in the canton of Vaud, among the 362 establishments which illegally accepted sales to minors last year and which were re-inspected, 91 sold again to a minor. This alarming figure reflects the urgency of better regulating the sale of tobacco in the region according to local authorities. Repeat offender businesses were punished again with a temporary ban on sales for one month.
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, 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 businesses and vending machines authorized to sell tobacco were randomly selected (400 out of 1,600) for test purchases. The results showed that 30% of businesses had sold tobacco to minors. Furthermore, the legal signage obligations concerning the ban on sales were visible in only 43% of the outlets controlled. The results also show that automatic devices were a significant source of crimes.
Purchases carried out in 2024 highlight clear improvements: of the 113 businesses in violation in 2023, 98 were still in operation and were the subject of new mystery shopping 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 shopping carried out in 2007 showed sales rates of 80% to minors and 70% in 2011. In 2024, the rate of sales through vending machines seems to have decreased and generally correspond to a level of offense equivalent to that of selling in person. From July 2025, all tobacco vending machines must have an ID reader system in Switzerland.
Continue checks until 2026
Faced with this situation, the authorities of the canton of Vaud are considering strengthening control and awareness 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 but also alcohol will continue until 2026.
The new federal law of October 2024 allows all cantons to carry out test purchases, governed by a manual published by the State to guarantee their successful completion. These repeated controls using a harmonized approach at the national level could promote better compliance with regulations and a reduction in sales to minors.
[1] Press release, A quarter of establishments visited in 2024 have reoffended by selling tobacco to minors, published on December 11, 2024, consulted on December 19, 2024
