Swiss Trade Monitor - 13 - From Grapes to Vapes: Switzerland’s Trade in Alcohol and Nicotine

Low Trade Volume but Significant Economic Impact: While the trade volume of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products is relatively small, accounting for just 0.91% and 0.2% of Switzerland's total import and export volumes, respectively, these sectors generate significant federal revenue and have a noteworthy economic influence within the country.

Increasing Popularity of Snus and Vapes: The import of newer nicotine products like snus and vapes has been rising, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences. Notably, snus has become increasingly popular since a federal court ruling that acknowledged the risks associated with nicotine but did not consider them a basis for prohibition.

Dominant Import Partners for Wine: Italy, France, and Spain are the leading import partners for Swiss wine by volume. Even though Italy leads imports by a wide margin in liters, France is the leader in terms of value, resulting in a significantly higher average price per liter.

Strategic Production Location for Tobacco Exports: Switzerland serves as a strategic base for the production of tobacco products by major global companies due to its lenient legislation compared to other countries. This has positioned Switzerland as a key exporter of tobacco and nicotine products (primarily cigarettes), especially to countries with less stringent consumption regulations.