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《中英對照讀新聞》Swiss high court strikes down Geneva smoking ban 瑞士高等法院撤銷日內瓦禁菸令

20081013◎管淑平

Smokers in Geneva were given a reprieve on 30th.Sept. after the Swiss high court struck down a ban on smoking in public places, in force since July 1, saying the local government had overstepped its powers.

日內瓦癮君子9月30日這天獲判緩刑了，瑞士高等法院撤銷7月1日起實施的公共場所禁菸令，認為地方政府越權。

The ban was approved by nearly 80 percent of Geneva voters last February.

這項禁令是去年8月獲得日內瓦80%的選民支持通過。

But the Federal Tribunal has ruled that the local government had no legal basis to impose the ban, having failed to wait for the cantonal parliament to adopt a formal law after the referendum, Swiss media said.

不過瑞士聯邦法院做出判決，地方政府在公投過關後，不等邦議會正式通過法律，沒有實施這項禁令的法源基礎，瑞士媒體報導。

"The Federal Court’s decision will have the effect of delaying for several months the application of a decision which Genevans have clearly taken," Geneva’s government said in a statement about the ruling by the court.

日內瓦政府對高等法院這項判決發表聲明說：「日內瓦人已經明確做出的決定，因為聯邦法院的判決影響，將延後好幾個月才能實施。」

Smokers in public buildings, bars or restaurants risked a fine of up to 1,000 Swiss francs, while owners of establishments risked a fine of up to 10,000 francs for violating the ban.

在公共建築物、酒吧、餐廳等場所抽菸，面臨最高罰款1000瑞士法郎，該場所業主也會因此違反這項禁菸令，最高會被罰1萬瑞士法郎。

Voters in eight of Switzerland’s 26 cantons have approved bans on smoking in public places although not all have come into force yet.

瑞士26邦已經有8邦公投通過公共場所禁菸，但是並非全部都已生效實施。

新聞辭典

reprieve：動詞，獲判緩刑，暫時免於（受罰）。例句：The serial killer was sentenced to death, but was later reprieved. （這名連續殺人犯被判死刑，後來又獲得緩刑。）

strike down：動詞片語，撤銷：擊倒。例句：He was struck down by a minor flu. （輕微的感冒就讓他病倒了。）

come into force：動詞片語，生效、實施。例句：The drink-driving ban will come into force next month. （酒後開車禁令將在下個月生效。）