Self-regulation

To improve its image and show its willingness to change, the tobacco industry publishes codes of responsible marketing.

These are actually public relations tools that do not contain the essential measures needed to reduce the consumption of nicotine products. This self-regulation has major flaws from a public health perspective: no real sanctions, no transparency and token measures.

But from the industry’s point of view, it is very useful in convincing the authorities and public opinion that there is no need for further regulation of its activities. In Switzerland, to gain credibility, cigarette manufacturers have entered into an agreement with the Swiss Commission for Fairness, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory body. The agreement has the same major flaws found in self-regulatory codes around the world.