Disease prevention and health promotion at global level
Smoking, harmful use of alcohol, lack of exercise and poor diet are the main causes of non‑communicable diseases both in Switzerland and worldwide. For this reason, Switzerland is involved in the WHO’s global and European action plans on these issues.
Causes of the main types of non-communicable diseases
According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases – notably cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes – are the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2021, more than 43 million people died prematurely of such diseases. The main causes of these diseases include smoking, harmful use of alcohol, lack of exercise, and a diet high in fat, sugar or salt.
Acknowledgement of the problem by the UN and WHO Action Plan
Since 2011, it has been recognised by the UN that “the global burden and threat of non-communicable diseases constitutes one of the major challenges for development in the twenty-first century”. Non-communicable diseases and their causes are being addressed by the WHO’s Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. This plan is concerned with both prevention and treatment, defining objectives to achieve “a world free of the avoidable burden of non-communicable diseases”.
Smoking at the global level
Smoking – the leading cause of preventable death – is responsible for more than 7 million deaths per year worldwide, including the deaths of 1.6 million non-smokers involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke (passive smoking).
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2003 and has been in force since February 2005. Currently (as of February 2026), the FCTC has 183 Parties, including the European Union. Switzerland signed the Convention on 25 June 2004 but has not yet ratified it.
The FCTC sets out the fundamental principles designed to reduce tobacco product supply and demand through evidence-based measures, with the aim of achieving sustained improvements in public health. In particular, States Parties are invited to provide for the following measures in their national legislation:
- prohibition of sales of tobacco products to minors;
- effective protection against passive smoking in workplaces and confined spaces, on public transport, and in public buildings and spaces;
- introduction of mandatory disclosure of product constituents and health warnings on all tobacco products;
- restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship;
- measures to combat illicit trade or manufacturing and counterfeiting of tobacco products.
The Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (SR 818.32), which came into force on 1 October 2024, does not fully meet the demands of the WHO FCTC, particularly with regard to advertising. However, the approval in February 2022 of the popular initiative on “Protecting children and adolescents from tobacco advertising” represented a significant development. This vote led to a constitutional amendment prohibiting all forms of tobacco advertising reaching children and adolescents, including in the press, online, on billboards or at public events.
For the Federal Council, ratification of the WHO FCTC remains an important public health matter following the signature of the Convention in 2004. Responsibility for ratifying such an agreement rests with Parliament.
Alcohol use at the global level
Alcohol use is a leading cause of death worldwide. In 2019, around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption, including 1.9 million from diseases and 700,000 from injuries. In Europe, 1 of every 3 deaths from injury and violence is caused by alcohol.
Accordingly, building on its 2010 Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, the WHO has adopted a global alcohol action plan 2022–2030. The Global Strategy contains recommendations on effective ways of preventing and reducing alcohol-related harm. In particular, the WHO recommends the following measures of proven effectiveness:
- raising taxes and prices on alcoholic beverages;
- restricting availability through limits on sale hours, days and locations;
- banning or limiting marketing, particularly digital and social media advertising;
- strengthening drink–driving laws and enforcement;
- integrating screening and brief interventions in primary care, emergency care and trauma settings to identify harmful drinking early.
In Switzerland, the recommendations of the WHO are taken into account, as appropriate within the national context, in the National Strategy and the Action Plan for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases 2025–2028.
Further information
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern