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E-cigarette vaping in Switzerland

Profile
Switzerland Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Switzerland Background
Profile
Switzerland Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2026-08-07

In Switzerland, e-cigarettes are legal and regulated as tobacco products. However, online sales of e-cigarettes are not permitted, and health claims promoting their use are prohibited. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes in Switzerland are not subject to an excise tax. Switzerland has a clear regulatory framework for e-cigarette products. Based on that, child-resistant and tamper-proof packaging is required, and health warnings must be displayed on all e-cigarette packaging. While there are no restrictions on flavour range, the maximum nicotine concentration is capped at 20 mg/ml, and tank sizes are limited to 2 ml or less. The use of e-cigarettes in public places is also legally restricted.

Switzerland had approximately 221,000 current vapers as of 2022. The adult current e-cigarette prevalence was reported to be 3%. Among adults, 2.6% of females and 3.4% of males were reported to be current e-cigarettes users. The adult daily vaping prevalence was estimated to be 1.7% overall, with a daily prevalence of 1.7% among females and 1.8% among males.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 85,388 1A A
2022 221,061 1B B
2022 221,061 1A A
2023 459,621 1C
2023 296,530 1A A
2024 320,679 1A A
2025 307,602 1A A
References:
  1. 1. https://ind.obsan.admin.ch/indicator/monam/konsum-von-e-zigaretten-alter-15 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. 1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  3. 1. Enquête Santé et Lifestyle 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 15+. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 1.2% 2A A
2022 3% 2B B
2022 3% 2A A
2023 6.2% 2C
2023 4% 2A A
2024 4.3% 2A A
2025 4.1% 2A A
References:
  1. https://ind.obsan.admin.ch/indicator/monam/konsum-von-e-zigaretten-alter-15
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  3. Enquête Santé et Lifestyle 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 15+.
  2. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+
Year Value Reference/Comment
2022 2.6% 3A A
2023 6.3% 3B
References:
  1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  2. Enquête Santé et Lifestyle 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+
Year Value Reference/Comment
2022 3.4% 3A A
2023 6.1% 3B
References:
  1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  2. Enquête Santé et Lifestyle 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+
125,268
4 A
2022
1.7%
5 A
2022
1.7%
5 A
2022
1.8%
5 A
2022
References:
  1. 1. https://ind.obsan.admin.ch/indicator/monam/konsum-von-e-zigaretten-alter-15 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. https://ind.obsan.admin.ch/indicator/monam/konsum-von-e-zigaretten-alter-15
  3. Enquête Santé et Lifestyle 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
  4. 1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  5. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-che.pdf?sfvrsn=83d51905_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 15+. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Cohort: 15+.
  3. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  4. Adults survey: Enquête Santé et Lifestyle, 2022; National, ages 15+

Product promotion

References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Allowed or banned at place of sale or allowed or banned in all media.

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier no specific law 1A
2018 Allowed 1B
2024 Allowed 1C
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.
  3. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Yes
2
2018
No
3
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  2. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.
  3. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/

Availability

References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  2. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.

Regulations and restrictions

YES
1
2018
Year Value Reference/Comment
2018 YES 2A
2024 YES 2B A
References:
  1. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Text health warnings.
NO
2
2024
Year Value Reference/Comment
2018 Yes 2A
2024 Equal or less than 20mg/ml 2B
References:
  1. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
YES
1
2018
YES
1
2018
References:
  1. Switzerland | Global Tobacco Control. https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/e-cigarette/switzerland.
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Text health warnings.

Tax

0.00
1 A
2024
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. No excise taxes are levied on this product.

Publications

The European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) 2016 Changes to the EU TPD

The European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) 2016 Changes to the EU TPD

- No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction

The TPD is a Directive of the EU which means that all EU countries must ‘transpose’ or incorporate the TPD requirements into their national laws. The only flexibility permitted is the ability to enact additional regulations. The current Directive entered into force on 19th May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20th May 2016.

In 2014 a revised Tobacco Products Directive known as TPD 2 was issued by the EU to update the 2001 Tobacco Products Directive. TPD2 regulates all tobacco products in the European Union and its scope is wide. It covers product regulation in terms of reporting obligations of ingredients and emissions for all tobacco products. It includes product packaging and labelling including the size and appearance of products, traceability features to be fixed onto packaging as well as health warnings. It covers cross-border advertising of tobacco products; it reinforces the ban on oral tobacco products (snus), but importantly it provides for the placing on the market of e-cigarettes and refill containers, as well as making provision for notification of novel tobacco products. It also provides for herbal cigarettes.

See also p. 96 of the report: No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2018 — Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (gsthr.org)

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.