Council of States votes in favour of yield taxation and minimum pricing

In the spring session, the Council of States debated and approved the draft proposals for the Federal Act on the Taxation of Spirits and Ethanol (SETA) and the Federal Act on Trade in Alcoholic Beverages (ABA). The first chamber approved many of the Federal Council's suggestions. However, at the same time it also agreed to important amendments in the areas of taxation and the sale of alcohol.

On 23 March 2013, after more than four hours of heated debate, the Council of States approved the draft SETA by 23 votes to 8, with 6 abstentions, and the draft ABA by 33 votes with no votes against and 4 abstentions.