Swiss Parliament Approves Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes – A Signal for Youth and Environmental Protection

On June 4th, 2025, the Council of States approved a clear sales ban on so-called “Puffs,” i.e., disposable e-cigarettes. In doing so, it follows the National Council, which had already adopted a corresponding motion by National Councillor Christophe Clivaz (VS, The Greens) by a large majority in June 2024. Although the Federal Council had recommended rejecting the motion, Parliament is now sending a strong signal in favor of protecting youth and the environment.

Disposable e-cigarettes are brightly colored, fruity, cheap, and therefore particularly popular among young people. At the same time, they are highly addictive and have a devastating environmental footprint. On the Swiss market since 2020, their popularity has rapidly increased, especially among young people. The consumption of (disposable) e-cigarettes is rising sharply. As early as 2023, 16 percent of all 15 to 24-year-olds were using e-cigarettes (according to the Federal Office of Public Health’s “Health and Lifestyle” survey). That is ten percentage points higher than the average for the total population.

AT Switzerland was one of the first public health organizations in Europe to publicly criticize these products back in 2020 – in the middle of the pandemic – when they suddenly appeared on the market largely unnoticed by the authorities (source: AT Switzerland).

Many Unresolved Problems with Disposable E-Cigarettes

Environmental pollution and littering remain unresolved: disposable e-cigarettes consist of a combination of plastic waste, electronic waste (with heavy metals), and toxic chemical residue (leftover liquid), which often ends up in nature or with regular household waste – where it does not belong. Additionally, disposable e-cigarettes repeatedly cause fires in recycling centers.

A Non-Functioning Return System: According to the Basel-Stadt Cantonal Laboratory, nine out of ten importers do not pay the legally required disposal fee. The return of used devices also does not work: according to Sens eRecycling, the system operator, the return rate is “very low.”

Bans on Disposable E-Cigarettes Are on the Rise

Internationally, resistance to disposable e-cigarettes is also growing. Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom have recently introduced or implemented national sales bans. In Germany, such a ban is currently under political discussion. New Zealand, for example, has also banned disposable e-cigarettes due to their impact on the environment and youth health.

In Switzerland, in addition to the Federal Parliament, several cantons have taken action: Jura, Valais, and Bern have already issued sales bans; Basel-Stadt, Ticino, Solothurn, Schaffhausen, Geneva, and Vaud explicitly support such a ban or are currently examining its implementation.

Conclusion

With this decision, the Swiss Parliament shows that it prioritizes protecting the environment and young people’s health – enabling Switzerland to keep pace with international developments. It is now up to the Federal Council to implement the sales ban quickly and effectively.