Coming Soon: Self-regulation

The tobacco industry is aware that a deterioration in its image can harm its economic performance. In order to refute accusations of irresponsibility, it promotes “voluntary measures,” such as self-regulation of its advertising. In Switzerland, as elsewhere, these initiatives serve primarily to counteract government regulations. This report analyzes the origins of these “voluntary” measures and reveals the industry’s true intentions, which are not to reduce tobacco consumption, but above all to protect its economic interests. To achieve this, it uses deliberately ineffective self-regulation codes and implements prevention programs that are not very credible, or even deliberately counterproductive. Ultimately, this report reminds us that the tobacco industry’s involvement in public health debates ignores the fundamental contradiction that exists between the two.