Thousands join Pride march in Geneva; Arth-Rigi Railway line celebrates 150 years; Swiss parliament bans disposable vapes

News for 10 June 2025

In a festive atmosphere, the Geneva Pride organisation warned of the threats to LGBTQIA+ people. “Fascist politicians are targeting LGBTQIA+ people by minimising social, mental, physical and sexual violence against them,” said Xavier Lavatelli, Co-President of Geneva Pride. In Switzerland, the announced cuts to the federal budget jeopardise prevention. “We demand equal treatment,” he emphasised.

Under grey skies, the colourful demonstration started at Quai Wilson and led over the Mont Blanc Bridge, to the Parc des Bastions. “Love has no gender”, “Queer liberation” and “God loves unconditionally” could be read on signs. LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex. The + symbolises other gender identities.

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In its 150 years, the Arth-Rigi Railway has played a pioneering role in rail transport. Opened on June 4, 1875, the Arth-Rigi Railway (ARB) was the first railway line located entirely in the canton of Schwyz. Throughout its 150 years, ARB has always been closely linked to Swiss railway history. Even Queen Victoria was carried to the 1,798 metre-high summit. While tourists from Lucerne travelled on the Vitznau-Rigi Railway from 1874, guests from Zurich and Zug came to their “local mountain” via Lake Zug. The opening of the Arth-Rigi railway in 1875 simplified access and, in combination with the boat trip, offered a popular travel experience.

At the start of the season on April 13, Zugersee Schiffahrt opened a new connection from Zug to Arth. The courses coordinate with a bus and ARB, and make it possible to travel on to the Rigi. The offer is even today “very attractive for tourists”, as Zugersee Schiffahrt wrote in April.

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The Swiss Senate voted on banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, passing a motion validated by the House of Representatives in 2024. Adolescents and pre-adolescents are attracted by the colourful, multi-flavoured products. Consumption is up, according to Christophe Clivaz, a Green Party parliamentarian behind the motion.

Disposable vapes can contain high levels of nicotine without any controls, sometimes exceeding the legal threshold of 20 mg/ml, equal to several hundred puffs of regular cigarettes. They contain nicotine in the form of nicotine salt, less dangerous than nicotine, but more addictive. Flavia Wasserfallen, a Social Democrat said, “Vapes present health risks, damage the environment and lead to costs for everyone”.

The Federal Council initially opposed the motion, rejecting any ban that would create technical barriers to trade. However, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider accepted the decision. The People’s Party and most centre-right Radical-Liberals opposed the motion, which passed by 19 votes to 11.