CHThe Federal Court of Switzerland has upheld the canton of Valais' ban on single-use e-cigarettes, rejecting complaints filed by the Swiss Tobacco Retailers Association, Philip Morris Switzerland, and affected retailers. The ban, which came into effect in May 2025, was introduced through a change to the canton’s health law, prohibiting the sale of disposable e-cigarettes under penalty of fine. Opponents argued that the regulation violated federal law, but the court ruled that the canton had the authority to implement such measures since the federal government had not yet addressed the issue of banning single-use products. The court emphasized that the ban serves both public health and environmental protection goals, and that it does not conflict with the federal Tobacco Products Act, which primarily focuses on health considerations. The ruling also stated that the measure is proportionate and justified in protecting public interests, while noting that alternative measures like price increases or deposit systems would be less effective at the cantonal level.
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