Plans for a Smoke-Free Finland Gather Pace
Finland plans to cut consumption of tobacco products - in any form – to less than 2% among adults by 2040. As is the case with many industrialised countries, Finland’s smoking rates have decreased in recent years as a result of various public health measures. However, 2017 sees the introduction of comprehensive, stricter regulations rolled out across the country, tackling tobacco use from every angle.
These include:
- A hike in sellers-fees for vendors of tobacco.
- The ability to apply to ban people from smoking on neighbouring private balconies.
- A measure restricting people from smoking in private cars in the presence of someone under 15.
A central tenet of Finland’s strategy to eradicate smoking is to limit its presence and appeal. It is hoped that this will, in turn, reduce the number of people, particularly the young, from taking up the habit in the first place. To this end, e-cigarettes now have the same restrictions placed upon them in terms of sales and public use as regular tobacco cigarettes. Flavoured e-cigarettes are no longer allowed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to reduce smoking globally, but Finland remains in the vanguard with its policy to put a stop to the problem altogether.
