Prevention of Non-communicable diseases Division

The department implements the National Strategy for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (“NCD Strategy” for short) and the National Addiction Strategy, and is responsible for enforcement of the Narcotics Act. It works together with a number of different stakeholders.

Prevention of non-communicable diseases and addiction

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent or mitigate the effects on our health of more than half of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The department provides the scientific basis and implements the measures envisaged by the NCD Strategy and the Addiction Strategy. In particular, it strengthens measures to promote healthy lifestyles in society, business and the work setting, as well as in the provision of healthcare services. The aim is to promote health literacy among the general public and to establish conditions that will make it easier to adopt healthier behaviour patterns. It also aims to prevent addiction disorders and provide support for persons suffering from addictions.

To implement the strategies, the Department for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases works closely together with numerous stakeholders at the national, cantonal and regional level.

Enforcement of the Narcotics Act

The department oversees the enforcement of the Narcotics Act, performing the related tasks in the areas of addiction medicine and harm reduction. This includes issuing exemption authorisations and coordinating addiction medicine networks.

Tobacco Control Fund Office

The Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) is affiliated to the Non-communicable Diseases Division, from where it is administered.

This money helps finance measures to stop people taking up smoking, to help people to give up smoking and to protect non-smokers against passive smoking.

When awarding funds, the TCF refers to the 2017 to 2024 National Strategy on the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and the National Addiction Strategy.

Roy Salveter
Head of Prevention Non-communicable diseases Division

Further information

National Strategy Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases (NCD strategy)

A healthy lifestyle would help prevent many non-communicable diseases and reduce their consequences. This is where the NCD strategy and its partners come in.

National Strategy on Addiction

Addiction is a dynamic area of policy that constantly has to respond to new challenges, for example changing patterns of behaviour and trends in consumption.

Addiction & health

Addictions and dependencies pose a risk to individuals and society at large. That’s why we promote people’s health literacy. Find out here about the various addictions and addiction prevention, regulation, damage limitation, counselling and therapies.

Das Betäubungsmittelgesetz

Das Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BetmG) regelt den Umgang mit Betäubungsmitteln und psychotropen Stoffen sowie die Aufgabenteilung der zuständigen nationalen und kantonalen Behörden.