Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco rules in Vaud
Legal ages for buying alcohol and tobacco, where you cannot smoke, the cannabis rules, drink-driving limits, and where to get help.
Key facts
- Beer, wine, cider: from 16 (federal). Spirits and mixed drinks with spirits: from 18. In Vaud, all alcohol over 15% (alcopops included) is also 18+ since 15 July 2024.
- Tobacco, heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, puffs, snus: from 18 everywhere in Switzerland since 1 October 2024 (Vaud already since 15 July 2024).
- No smoking or vaping in public indoor or enclosed places in Vaud (since 15 September 2009; e-cigarettes included).
- Cannabis with 1% THC or more is illegal. Adults caught using it can get a CHF 100 fixed fine; possessing up to 10 g for your own use is not punishable. CBD under 1% THC is legal.
- Driving: limit 0.5 per mille (0.25 mg/l breath); 0.1 per mille for learner drivers and probationary licence holders, except on vehicles of categories F, G and M, such as fast e-bikes.
1. Legal ages: alcohol
Federal law bans selling or giving:
- beer, wine and cider to anyone under 16;
- spirits (distilled drinks or mixes containing them) to anyone under 18.
Cantons and shops can be stricter. Vaud: since 15 July 2024 the canton bans selling to minors, and advertising in public places, of alcohol over 15% (alcopops included), under the cantonal law on economic activities (LEAE). Shops and bars may ask for official ID (passport, ID card or driving licence).
2. Legal ages: tobacco and e-cigarettes
- Federal: the Tobacco Products Act (LPTab) has applied since 1 October 2024. For every product it covers (including e-cigarettes), the minimum age is 18.
- Vaud: since 15 July 2024 the canton bans selling to minors all tobacco products, heated tobacco and similar products (e-cigarettes, disposable puffs, snus), with or without nicotine, in shops and vending machines.
3. Smoking bans in Vaud
The Vaud law on smoking in public places (LIFLP, in force since 15 September 2009):
- bans smoking in public places that are indoor or enclosed: shops, health and care facilities, schools and training places, culture, sport and leisure venues, public transport, administration buildings, cafés, bars and restaurants;
- also covers heated tobacco and e-cigarettes;
- applies to tents and marquees at events;
- leaves out terraces and patios that are open and physically separated from the inside;
- allows closed smoking rooms in restaurants and bars only if they have no service and proper ventilation.
Communes can go further for spaces they manage. Smoking where it is banned is punishable by a fine of CHF 100 to 1,000 (LIFLP art. 8 para. 1, BLV 800.02).
4. Cannabis and CBD
- Illegal: cannabis with an average THC content of 1% or more. Using it is banned.
- Fixed fine: since 1 October 2013, adults who use cannabis can be given a fixed fine (amende d'ordre) of CHF 100, as long as they have no more than 10 g on them. Paying it means no criminal procedure.
- Possession: having up to 10 g for your own use is not punishable. Minors are dealt with under juvenile criminal law.
- CBD: products with less than 1% THC are not covered by the narcotics law and can be sold and bought legally (other rules, for example on food or tobacco substitutes, still apply).
- Driving: cannabis and driving do not mix; drug-driving rules are on Driving licence. Cannabis use is legally proven from 1.5 µg of THC per litre of blood (OOCCR-OFROU art. 34), so even small amounts can count.
Lausanne pilot study (Cann-L): an official, FOPH-authorised study run by the City of Lausanne with Addiction Suisse. Adult participants from Lausanne buy cannabis legally in a non-profit shop in the city centre, open since December 2023. Study period: July 2023 to June 2027 (FOPH). To join, the project's registration page asks that you are over 18, live in the commune of Lausanne (no exceptions; students living in Ecublens, Renens or elsewhere cannot join), already use cannabis at least once a month, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and understand French: the sign-up interview of about 45 minutes is in French. Bring a valid ID or residence permit and proof of a Lausanne address less than 3 months old (Cann-L, registration). Federal rules also require living in the canton of the trial and written consent (Ordinance on pilot trials under the Narcotics Act, art. 14).
5. Drinking and driving
- General limit: 0.5 per mille blood alcohol, or 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol. From 0.8 per mille (0.4 mg/l) the offence is more serious.
- Zero tolerance (0.1 per mille / 0.05 mg/l): learner drivers, probationary licence holders (new drivers, usually 3 years), driving instructors, people accompanying a learner, and professional drivers while working. The 0.1 limit does not apply when driving vehicles of the special categories F, G and M (M includes fast e-bikes); there the general 0.5 limit applies (OCR art. 2a para. 1 let. h).
- Police can breath-test drivers without any specific suspicion.
- Bikes and e-bikes: see Bike, e-bike and e-scooter road rules.
Licence withdrawal and probation rules: Driving licence. Fixed-fine lists: Fines and tickets in Vaud (not repeated here).
6. Where to get help
- État de Vaud, Addictions: information on alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling and screens, with pages for young people and for family and friends, and the cantonal directory of addiction resources (Ressources Addiction et Précarité).
- Your doctor: the canton advises talking to a health professional if you are not comfortable with your drinking. Withdrawal from a dependence needs medical follow-up.
- Addiction Suisse (Lausanne, national prevention and research centre): information on each substance. Phone 021 321 29 11.
- EPFL students: Mental health support at EPFL.
- Emergency (loss of consciousness, breathing problems, convulsions, suicidal thoughts): call 144.