In 2021, 89,400 births were registered in Switzerland, a number not seen since 1972. Switzerland’s population increased by 0.8% compared to 2020, reaching more than 8.7 million by the end of 2021. The number of births in 2021 was 4.1% higher than in 2020, reported Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office on 5 April 2022. All cantons […]
Kinder chocolates pulled from Swiss shelves over salmonella concern
The chocolate maker Ferrero has asked for its Kinder chocolates to be pulled from Swiss retail shelves over concerns they may contain the bacteria salmonella. Salmonella bacteria, which is typically associated with food contaminated by animal faeces, or by human faeces, such as by a food-service worker at a restaurant, can cause diarrhea, fever and […]
Young Swiss smoking less and drinking more
A new study of Switzerland’s young people shows how views and habits have changed among this group over 10 years. Overall, 19 year old Swiss smoke less, do less sport and consume more alcohol than they did 10 years ago. In addition, the vast majority reported being generally satisfied with life. Around three quarters said […]
Swiss to vote on banning advertising tobacco to young people
Tobacco is big business. Its scale makes the industry a formidable foe for those hoping to spare people the damaging health effects of tobacco addiction. Most people start smoking when they are young so a group in Switzerland launched an initiative to ban tobacco advertising targeted at young people. Swiss voters will vote on the proposal […]
Lausanne offers drink covers to combat drug rape risk
The city of Lausanne announced that it would spend CHF 5,000 on 4,000 silicon glass covers to help those frequenting bars and night clubs in the city protect themselves from being drugged with a drug known as GHB, reported 20 Minutes. GHB is a well known date rape drug, a category of drugs used to […]
Higher tax deductions for parents in Switzerland starting in 2023
This week, Switzerland’s government set a date for the introduction of more generous tax deductions for childcare. From 1 January 2023, parents will be able to deduct up to CHF 25,000 per child in childcare costs from their annual taxable income, reported RTS. Currently, the maximum is CHF 10,100 per child. The change is the […]
Covid: Swiss government recommends vaccination of 5-11 year olds
This week, Switzerland’s federal government recommended two-dose Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11, reported RTS, in particular those suffering from chronic illness. On 10 December 2021, Swissmedic, Switzerland’s drug approval agency, announced its approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for use on children of this age. Once the vaccines are available for this age […]
Switzerland to follow France and investigate sexual abuse in Catholic Church
Following in the footsteps of France the Catholic Church in Switzerland recently instructed two historians to investigate sexual abuse within the organisation, reported RTS. The researchers running the investigation are from the University of Zurich. They now have the task of collecting testimony from victims which will form the basis of a report on sexual […]
Covid: Vaud brings back masks in schools
On 25 November 2021, the government of the canton of Vaud announced the return of measures to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The measures include reintroducing masks at school and accelerating the rollout of booster shots. The government said that the canton is at the beginning of a new wave of infection and […]
Swiss government moves closer to legalising cannabis
This week, a Council of States commission accepted a plan to regulate the cannabis trade in Switzerland, reported 20 Minutes. This decision by the public health commission follows an earlier one by a parliamentary commission looking at the same question. The way is now clear for parliament to create a new law that lifts the […]
