SS 13.30-15.00 Special sessions

TOBACCO PREVENTION IN SWITZERLAND - TODAY AND TOMORROW

Switzerland is characterized by a medium smoking prevalence but a relatively high daily consumption per smoker. The costs of smoking, in terms of mortality and financial consequences, are very high for the population and the public sector. For several decades, prevention of smoking has been essentially in the hands of local, regional and national non governmental organizations.

In August 1995, the Swiss Government adopted a global smoking prevention programme, based on the WHO's recommendations and on national experts' reports. Aiming mainly at reducing the prevalence of smoking, this four-year programme (1996 - 1999) is endowed with an annual grant of 2.5 millions Swiss francs. Its three targets are the primary prevention, the smoking cessation and the protection of non-smokers against passive smoking.

After presenting the epidemiological situation in Switzerland in relation to smoking, reminding us of the economic consequences of smoking and evoking the setting-up of preventive action, this abstract draws a quick sketch of the global smoking prevention programme (its background history, foundations, strategies and main actions).

Smoke Free Europe Conference Abstracts - 19 SEP 1996

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