The consumption of tobacco and nicotine products remains high in Switzerland. According to the Health and Lifestyle Survey 2025, 23 percent of the population aged 15 and over consume at least one such product at least once a month. Two-thirds of them do so daily. The increasing variety of products leads to more frequent parallel usage of multiple products: 25 percent of those who consume at least monthly use more than one type of product.
Generation of 15- to 17-Year- Olds Consumes Differently
Fifteen percent of the population aged 15 and over smoke conventional cigarettes at least once a month. Among consumers aged 25 and over, cigarettes remain the dominant product. At the same time, there is a clear shift visible among the 15- to 17-year- olds: e-cigarettes now appear to be almost as prevalent as conventional cigarettes. The proportion of parallel consumption (at least once a month) of various tobacco or nicotine products is significantly higher among 15- to 17-year-olds, at 40 percent, than among adult consumers. Most of the 15- to 17- year-olds who consume products other than conventional cigarettes at least once a month prefer flavoured variants, particularly sweet and fruity flavours.
E-Cigarette Now the Main Starting Product for Teenagers
Among the 15- to 17-year-olds who consume at least one tobacco or nicotine product at least once a month, the e-cigarette has clearly replaced the conventional cigarette as the most common starting product. Disposable products are particularly popular. Among those under 25, who began their consumption with e-cigarettes, only about four out of ten were using the e- cigarette (exclusively) at the time of the survey; a portion also use conventional cigarettes.
Only a Few Manage to Quit
Approximately half of the people who consume at least one tobacco or nicotine product at least once a month wish to quit. At the same time, the 2025 survey shows that only 14 percent of those aged 30 and over, who consumed conventional cigarettes, e- cigarettes or heated tobacco five years ago, managed to quit.
Exposure to Smoke and Vapour Increased
The involuntary exposure to smoke and vapour has increased compared to 2023. The 18- to 24-year-olds are most affected. Tobacco smoke remains the main source of this involuntary exposure, yet the vapour from e-cigarettes is gaining significance and particularly affects young people.
Population Demands Stricter Regulation
Public approval for better regulations is high. Overall, 90 percent of people aged 15 and over favour more places (such as terraces or playgrounds) becoming smoke- and vapour-free. Additionally, 71 percent support a ban on disposable e-cigarettes.
Health Risks High and Partly Still Unknown
Besides the known, high health risks associated with tobacco consumption, tobacco-free nicotine products are not without concerns. The nicotine contained has a high dependency potential and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, nicotine products can contain harmful substances such as aldehydes, known for their toxic effects. The specific long-term health consequences of consuming such products are still insufficiently researched.
About the Survey
The representative Health and Lifestyle Survey was conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on behalf of the Tobacco Prevention Fund (TPF) and evaluated by Addiction Switzerland. The contents are defined by the TPF in collaboration with the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). Since 2022, the survey has recorded the health behaviour of the Swiss population annually, particularly in the area of tobacco and nicotine consumption.
Press Contact:
Markus Meury
Spokesperson
mmeury@suchtschweiz.ch
021 321 29 63
Monique Portner-Helfer
Spokesperson
mportner-helfer@suchtschweiz.ch
021 321 29 74