[Evaluation of measures to reduce cigarette consumption in Switzerland]

Policy instruments were examined to reduce cigarette consumption in Switzerland. The results can be summarised in two points: a) Tax increases and anti-smoking publicity (health education) are effective measures to reduce cigarette smoking. The effect is especially pronounced when both instruments are combined. b) The effect of a ban on advertising could not be examined for Switzerland due to lack of data. Results of studies abroad lead to the assumption that cigarette consumption can be influenced more by the tobacco tax and anti-smoking publicity than by a ban on advertising. This is by no means to say that such a ban would have no effect.