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Citizens’ Assembly supports the introduction of a federal health law

  • The Citizens’ Assembly, consisting of 100 randomly selected Swiss residents, voted on its reform proposals after intensive debates.
  • The Citizens’ Assembly supports the introduction of a national health law, the tightening of advertising bans on nicotine- and alcohol-containing products, and the strengthening of health literacy at all stages of life.
  • The research project conducted by the Universities of Zurich and Geneva, coordinated by the Centre for Democracy Studies Aarau (CDA), investigates whether and how citizens’ assemblies enrich democratic debates.

The Citizens’ Assembly concluded its work this weekend and voted on reform proposals for health promotion and prevention after a final intensive debate. The participants, a randomly selected cross-section of the Swiss population, discussed ten specific measures and adopted six of them. These include the introduction of a national health law, the tightening of advertising bans on nicotine- and alcohol-containing products, and the strengthening of health literacy in all phases of life.

While democracies around the world are under pressure, Switzerland is experimenting with new complementary forms and actively working to foster a constructive culture of debate. The results of the Citizens’ Assembly vote provide insight into which reform proposals an informed cross-section of the population considers particularly urgent in order to strengthen health promotion and prevention in Switzerland and reduce healthcare costs in the long term. For example, the Citizens’ Assembly supports the introduction of a national health law, the tightening of advertising bans on nicotine- and alcohol-containing products, and the strengthening of health literacy in all phases of life.

«Practical reform proposals»

Anne Lévy, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health, praised the work of the Citizens’ Assembly on site: «I am impressed by how the participants in the Citizens’ Assembly have engaged in discussions on possible solutions and delved deeply into health policy. The Citizens’ Assembly has developed practical reform proposals for legal, structural and other preventive measures. I am curious to see what will happen with the results now.»

The reform proposals were developed in several phases. After a thematic introduction on the first weekend, the participants deepened their knowledge in online meetings. During the discussion weekend in February, they debated with stakeholders from politics and healthcare. The final report reflects the opinions formed by this informed committee.

Prof. Dr. Daniel Kübler, co-initiator of the project at the University of Zurich, emphasises the importance of the project: «The Citizens’ Assembly impressively demonstrates how a diverse cross-section of the population can make informed decisions on complex political issues. This strengthens the democratic system and complements political discourse.»

Handover to Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider

The adopted reform proposals will be presented in more detail by the Citizens’ Assembly at a media conference in mid-April. The final report will be handed over by the Population Council to Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider at the closing event on 20 May. In addition, the results of the Citizens’ Assembly will be discussed and evaluated by representatives of the political support group at the event.

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