In 1908, Switzerland held a referendum that resulted in the banning of absinthe, a highly alcoholic beverage that had become associated with moral panic and health concerns. The decision reflected societal anxieties about alcohol consumption and its effects on public health and morality. This prohibition marked a significant moment in Swiss culture, influencing attitudes toward alcohol regulation and consumption.

Switzerland's referendum banning absinthe in 1908 sparked literary debates on prohibition and the artist's right to altered perception. Poets like Arthur Rimbaud and others engaged with these themes, reflecting on the tensions between creativity and societal constraints.