Swiss look set to reject animal testing ban in referendum (updated)

Novatti

13/02/2022 12:26

* Pharmaceutical industry opposes testing ban
    * Tobacco advert curbs would go too far, says government
    * Equity tax, media funding proposals also face vote

 (Updates throughout with projected results, comments from
voters)
    By John Revill
    ZURICH, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Swiss voters looked set to
clearly reject a campaign that aimed to make Switzerland the
first country to ban experiments on animals, according to early
projections by state broadcaster SRF on Sunday.
    Only 21% of voters were in favour of the animal experiment
ban, with 79% against, in the nationwide referendum https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/swiss-vote-becoming-first-country-ban-animal-testing-2022-02-10
 held under the Swiss tradition of direct democracy.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2UF4D5
    Supporters had wanted to halt tests, saying they are
unethical and unnecessary, but ran into opposition from the
country's powerful pharmaceuticals lobby, which warned of the
economic damage such a ban could cause.
    "I voted no, clearly, because I worked in a lab, and I know
the reality on the ground," Clement Rohner, from Carouge, a town
close to Geneva. 
    "We would all like to stop testing on animals,
unfortunately, it is absolutely still not possible nowadays. And
so, we have to keep going with animal testing."
    In another vote on Sunday, voters were set to approve
further restrictions on tobacco advertising, with 57% in favour
according to SRF projections.
    The restrictions would see a ban advertising in newspapers,
cinemas, the internet, at events, and on billboards, with
supporters saying such adverts encourage youth smoking.
    "I'm in favour because it’s a shame people are starting (to
smoke), it’s a social phenomenon and it does not do good to
anybody," said Angela Margeuron, also from Carouge.
    "We hear constantly that people end up in hospitals or die
or that they have huge health issues, but still advertising is
still here, of course it's about money, as always."
    The government was facing defeat in the other two votes on
Sunday. 
    Its proposal to scrap the 1% tax on raising equity was
opposed by 63% with only 37% in favour, according to projections
Its plan to increase financial support for the media was opposed
by 56% of voters versus 44% backing the plan, SRF said.

 (Reporting by John Revill and Cecile Mantovani
Editing by Frances Kerry)
 ((John.Revill@thomsonreuters.com; +41 41 528 36 37; Reuters
Messaging: john.revill.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))