Tobacco and tobacco prevention

Products that can be consumed and that consist, even partially, of genetically modified or genetically non-modified tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, snus, chewing tobacco, snuff, novel tobacco products such as heated tobacco products, etc.)

Electronic cigarettes or liquids with and without nicotine and any component of such products, nicotine-containing pouches without tobacco for oral use

Products based on plants, herbs or fruits that do not contain tobacco and can be consumed by means of a combustion or heating process

At the beginning of 2024, the placing on the market of tobacco and related products will be comprehensively re-regulated both in the EEA and in Switzerland. These new provisions are primarily aimed at protecting health and will make trade in these products significantly more difficult.

Detailed information is available on request from the ALKVW.

Please use the form to notify your manufacturing, importing or trading company:

Smoking is generally prohibited in public buildings, on public transport and in enclosed spaces accessible to the public.

Smoking is prohibited indoors and outdoors in schools as defined by the Education Act and in meeting and care facilities for children and young people.

Note: (Tents that have more than one side wall closed are considered enclosed spaces)

Smoking in catering establishments is permitted under certain conditions.

If the business only has one guest room, the person responsible can apply for a smoking permit from the ALKVW for a fee.

The smoking permit is issued to the business (legal entity). If the person responsible for the establishment changes, the smoking establishment permit remains valid for the structurally unchanged restaurant. However, the establishment is obliged to inform the ALKVW of the change in writing.

If the establishment consists of more than one guest room, a smoking room may be set up in an adjoining room. However, this smoking room must meet several requirements, in particular

• the room must not be larger than one third of the total guest room area and
• the door must close automatically.

The business is obliged to notify the ALKVW of the smoking room in writing.

The persons responsible for public buildings, publicly accessible enclosed spaces, etc. must signal the smoking ban by displaying a notice or symbol.

In the case of a hospitality business that is a licensed smoking establishment or that has set up a legally compliant smoking room, the corresponding notice or symbol must be clearly visible at the entrance.

Symbols for smoking ban, smoking establishment and smoking room are available free of charge from the ALKVW.