Politics Council of States calls for a rethink on alcohol consumption recommendations
The Council of States is calling on the Federal Council to hold back on new recommendations on moderate alcohol consumption. The national government should await further scientific findings instead of accepting the demands of the World Health Organization.
15.12.2025, 18:16
SDA
The small chamber approved a motion by Benedikt Würth (center/SG) by 31 votes to 8 with 3 abstentions. The motion will now go to the National Council.
According to the author of the motion, the zero tolerance strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) is not being critically questioned by the federal authorities. This is despite the fact that it is scientifically untenable. According to Würth, there is no scientific consensus on the statement that every drop of alcohol is harmful.
Instead, the Federal Council should wait with further recommendations on alcohol consumption until the ongoing UNATI study has been completed, he demanded. This is regarded as the gold standard for research into causal links between alcohol and health. The study will run for another three years.
Würth, who is President of the Swiss Association AOP-IGP, which also includes Swiss fine brandies, added that the WHO guidelines were not well received by the industry. According to the Council of States, the industry was already struggling with a downward trend.
Last week, Parliament reserved more money for aid to winegrowers than the Federal Council wanted. The National Council approved a motion by the SVP to approve CHF 10 million for structural measures. The Council of States had also approved this increase in aid for winegrowers to CHF 104.5 million.
Federal Council and left opposed
The motion was opposed by the political left. "It gives the impression that delaying tactics are being used here just because the scientific results and evidence don't suit you," said Flavia Wasserfallen (SP/BE). The motion mentions studies that underpin the desired direction.
The Federal Council saw no reason why the WHO guidelines were not scientific. The WHO is not pursuing a zero-tolerance strategy, but is committed to harm-reducing measures in order to control consumption and reduce the risks to health, said Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider in the Council of States. In addition, waiting for the UNATI study is not very expedient, as its results cannot be applied to the population as a whole due to the age range and study design.
