The BBC's Clare Doole in Geneva: "This was a massive rejection of the proposal"

With more than half of the votes counted after a referendum, the authorities said the reform had already been defeated with some 75% of voters opposing it.

A left-wing group, Droleg, had argued that selling drugs in state-run shops would prevent the rampant crime associated with the black market.

They proposed giving users a 'smart card' which, they said, would stop foreigners and children from getting hold of a supply.

Droleg spokesman Michael Huber said the referendum result showed the Swiss were satisfied with the present government policy on drugs.

The Swiss are tough on dealers but offer heroin in perscription to a limited number of hardened addicts.

Correspondent Claire Doole in Geneva says the proposal had always been unlikely to succeed.

But campaigners had hoped a significant minority backing it would have put pressure on the government to move forward with the legalisation of soft drugs such as cannabis.

Growing problem

The referendum had asked voters to approve decriminalising "the consumption, cultivation or possession of drugs, and their acquisition for personal use".

None of the main political parties actively supported the campaign and the government has been appalled at the prospect of becoming a supplier and distributor of hard and soft drugs.

But ministers remain aware Switzerland has a growing drugs problem.