The Canton of Geneva is set to begin enforcing its ban on disposable e-cigarettes, known as "puffs," after the cantonal court rejected a request to suspend the law. The ban was initially passed by the Grand Council on August 29th, but enforcement was paused pending a judicial decision on several appeals that sought to suspend its effect.
With the court's refusal to grant a suspensive effect, the law is now confirmed to be applicable throughout the entire judicial procedure. Geneva's Department of the Economy and Employment has stated it will now proceed with inspections, and the commerce police will sanction any observed infractions. Retailers will receive a new informational letter before these checks begin.
This development in Geneva follows a similar situation in the canton of Valais, where controls began on November 1st after the Federal Supreme Court also refused to suspend its cantonal ban. While these court decisions on suspension allow for immediate enforcement, the final legality of the cantonal bans is still to be determined as the courts now address the substance of the cases. Regardless, a nationwide ban on disposable vapes seems inevitable, as both of Switzerland's federal parliamentary chambers have adopted a motion calling for such a prohibition, and the Federal Council is now tasked with drafting the corresponding federal law.
