"Politicians are shooting completely over the top against the tobacco industry"
In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung, cigar patron Heinrich Villiger criticizes the decision of the Council of States to impose greater restrictions on tobacco advertising.
In 2018, the Villiger company celebrated its 130th anniversary. In honor of patron Heinrich Villiger, a special series of his favorite cigar was launched.
"Vehemently" opposed to the plans of the Council of Statessays Villiger. "It must be possible for us to offer our customers alternative pleasure products to cigarettes. Where should the limit be in future? There are no such bans on alcohol either," says the 89-year-old brother of former Federal Councillor Kaspar Villiger.
In his opinion, the tobacco industry is treated unequally. "There is a lot that is not healthy. Politicians are taking completely exaggerated shots at the tobacco industry. They would prefer to ban smoking altogether". The EU and Switzerland would blindly follow the WHO's goal of completely eliminating tobacco consumption by the middle of the century.
He doesn't understand the politicians' excitement, says the head of the Villiger Group: "We already have many smoking bans: Tobacco products are not allowed to be given to under-18s, there are big warnings on the packaging. Now they want to restrict advertising completely and ban the distribution of free samples."
In contrast to tobacco companies, which are increasingly focusing on e-cigarettes, Villiger wants to remain in the traditional tobacco business. "I grew up with tobacco, that's where Villiger's strengths lie." The company has already tried to diversify into another area. "But after a few years of losses, we gave up the production of Villiger vapes again."
