CODEX de la SVTA des fabricants et commerçants

CODEX of the SVTA of manufacturers and traders regarding the marketing of vape objects and products.


In the absence of a legal basis regarding the protection of minors in relation to the marketing and sale of electronic cigarettes and nicotine-containing liquids, Swiss producers and distributors of vape objects and products commit to the following regarding the minimum age for the sale of these products and the advertising related to them:

Art. 1 Minimum age for sale


The signatories fundamentally refrain from selling nicotine-containing vape objects and products to minors.

  • a. The signatories fundamentally refrain from providing products (e-liquids) that do not contain nicotine to persons under 16 years old, to give adolescent smokers the possibility to choose a much less harmful product. *
  • b. The signatories commit, in case of doubt, to verify the age of the buyer before proceeding with the sale. No sale of vape objects or products is made without age verification. The age verification is carried out on site by presenting an official identity document. On the internet, appropriate measures are taken (e.g., through age confirmation when entering the site) to ensure that no sale is made to minors.



* At the round table on 07/09/2018 organized by the FOPH, the SVTA also requested that a national age limit of 18 years be introduced for the protection of minors regarding tobacco products. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in opposition to the tobacco industry on this request. Only the retailer Coop welcomed the idea and requested that a letter of intent be signed by all competitors and the tobacco industry. With the entry into force of a self-regulation codex of the tobacco industry, presenting a national age limit of 18 years for tobacco products, this codex will be amended so that all personal vaporizers and e-liquids are only sold from the age of 18.

Art. 2 Advertising


The signatories refrain from any advertising for vape objects and products that is specifically aimed at minors. They specifically refrain from advertising:

    • a. In places mainly frequented by minors
    • b. In newspapers, magazines, or other publications specifically intended for minors
    • c. On school supplies (school bags, pencil cases, pens, etc.)
    • d. On advertising materials given to minors free of charge such as t-shirts, caps, flags, beach balls
    • e. On toys
    • f. By distributing free personal vaporizers and their nicotine-containing liquids to minors
    • g. At cultural, sporting, or other events mainly attended by minors

Art. 3 Training and information


  • a. Sales employees are informed of the contents of the codex and trained accordingly.
  • b. Manufacturers and representatives of manufacturers are informed of the contents of the codex and trained accordingly.

Art. 4 Control


    • a. The signatories monitor compliance with this codex themselves.
    • b. Violations of this codex can be reported to the Swiss Vape Trade Association (SVTA). The signatories evaluate whether there is indeed a violation of this codex.
    • c. Anyone who violates the provisions of this codex twice will be excluded from the codex and the SVTA with immediate effect and will be removed from the list of signatories.

Art. 5 Certificate


    • a. The signatories are issued a certificate by the SVTA. In addition, the signatories are listed on the SVTA and FOPH websites.
    • b. The signatories can request a certificate from the SVTA for an amount of CHF 30.00.
    • c. The signatories are authorized to use the certificate for advertising purposes at their point of sale and on their website.
    • d. After two violations of the codex, the certificate must be returned immediately to the issuing office. It will be immediately removed from the website.

Art. 6 Validity


    • a. The codex is valid from the day of signing. It applies until the entry into force of the tobacco products law.
    • b. Each party can terminate this agreement at any time and without reason by giving 2 months written notice to the other parties.
    • c. The codex can be amended at any time by mutual written consent.
    • d. Other manufacturers and distributors can subscribe to this codex at any time by signing a declaration to that effect.
    • e. The codex is published and signed in German and French.
    • f. The codex is secured by the SVTA.

Art. 7 The signatories


    • Sweetch Sarl
    • InSmoke AG
    • Stattqualm GmbH
    • Viviswiss GmbH
    • Tom’s Liquid GmbH
    • Tamar Trade GmbH
    • Hemag Nova AG
    • Red Vape AG
    • Cigarren Flury AG
    • Nebelbox GmbH
    • Foo GmbH
    • Vapelounge GmbH
    • Vape Heaven GmbH
    • Fumerolles
    • Fourtwenty GmbH
    • Dampfi GmbH
    • Bluedoor GmbH
    • Steam-Shop GmbH
    • Werners Head Shop AG

Art. 8 Independent signatures:


  • Mix-Vape-Mods Cocivera
  • Crossbow Vapor
  • Flaschendunst Gmbh
  • Yeah Juice
  • Dampfzauber Gmbh
  • Liquid Haerri (topace)