Since 1 October 2024, new, stricter rules on youth protection in the sale of tobacco and nicotine products have applied in Switzerland. Many consumers wonder what this means in practice – especially when buying online products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes or snus.
New Tobacco Products Act since 1 October 2024: a uniform "18+" rule
With the entry into force of the Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (TobPA) on 1 October 2024, youth protection rules in Switzerland were harmonised and tightened. Art. 23 TobPA stipulates that tobacco and nicotine products may not be sold to persons under 18. This applies to all sales channels – physical shops, vending machines and online shops. Providers must take suitable measures so that young people have no access. In shops, for example, staff must ask for official photo ID if in doubt about a person's age.
No clearly defined technical requirements for online age verification
What does this mean for online retail? In principle the ban on sales to minors also applies online. Online providers must take effective precautions. However, the law so far prescribes no specific technical solution. There is no officially mandated software or procedure. The choice of control system is up to the providers – what matters is that it reliably prevents minors from ordering.
This openness leads to different implementations: some shops use simple methods such as ticking a checkbox, others ask for a date of birth or an ID upload. Purely symbolic hurdles are not enough; a click barrier alone is not recognised by the authorities as sufficient control.
Current practice at snustrend.com
Snustrend uses the age verification system One Guard. It estimates by face scan whether a person is at least 18 years old. If the result is uncertain, the system additionally asks for an ID. This goes well beyond a mere click on "I am 18". A uniform legal obligation for such a check does not yet exist in Switzerland.
Upcoming tightening from 2026: stricter age control
With the next revision of the TobPA, expected to enter into force in 2026, the requirements for age verification will be tightened. A new Art. 23a TobPA is planned that obliges all providers to use a reliable age control system when they sell or advertise tobacco products online. The Federal Council will set the exact requirements. What is clear: the checkbox that is common today will then no longer suffice.
The position of snustrend.com
Snustrend.com takes youth protection seriously:
- Effective control instead of a checkbox: With One Guard we check age by face scan and ask for an ID when in doubt.
- We would welcome an obligation for all: The same rules for all providers protect young people better and prevent serious shops from being at a disadvantage. As soon as such an obligation applies nationwide, we will implement it.
We continue to watch the market closely and will adapt our system as soon as the federal government sets concrete requirements.
Conclusion
Youth protection concerns us all. As a consumer, you should understand that age verification is part of comprehensive health and youth protection. Support age checks by stating your age truthfully and not encouraging loopholes.
At the same time it is worth keeping an eye on legal developments (in particular the changes planned from 2026). An informed consumer can make conscious decisions and helps ensure that tobacco and nicotine products remain enjoyable for adults but taboo for young people.
For what else to look out for when choosing a snus shop, see our checklist for snus online shops. Snustrend.com will keep informing you transparently about changes. Thank you for reading and for supporting the important goal of protecting young people from the risks of nicotine use.
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