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To end the consumption of tobacco products in Finland
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The Tobacco Act aims: To end the consumption of tobacco products in Finland
The ultimate goal is to end the consumption of tobacco products, which contain hazardous and addictive agents, altogether.
It is stated that tobacco products are one of the most toxic commodities in the consumer market. The principles and legal rules of health protection and consumer safety would call for a total ban on manufacturing and selling these products. Because of historical reasons tobacco products are, however, sold and consumed all over the world.
The fact that it is not yet possible to ban tobacco products, though, is not a ground to consider them as ordinary commodities in general legislation and international agreements. The toxicity of these products makes them no ordinary commodities, of which the production and trade are to be reduced by all possible means.
To end the consumption of tobacco products describes the objective of tobacco policy better than an aim to reduce it. The aim of the Tobacco Act is also a coherent basis for all concrete bans and restrictions - for example a total ban on displays of tobacco products in retail sale.
The display of tobacco products will be forbidden
The display of tobacco products and their trademarks in retail sale facilities will be forbidden in Finland. Tobacco products may not be sold or otherwise supplied to persons under 18 years, and also the import and possession of tobacco products by them is to be forbidden. Persons selling tobacco products should be aged at least 18 years.
According to the new law the import, sale and other supplying of snuff will be forbidden, but a maximum of 30 packets containing 30 grams snuff may be imported for one's own use. In addition, the sale of tobacco products from automatic vending machines is to be forbidden.
Nicotine preparations can be sold in shops, gas stations and also in restaurants.
The Act enters into force on 1 October 2010. The prohibition on display of tobacco products and the restrictions on smoking in hotel rooms enter into force at the beginning of 2012. The sales of tobacco from vending machines should be forbidden within a transition period of four years.
The aim of the law proposal is to limit the marketing and supply of tobacco products in particular within children's everyday life.
Sources:
Government proposal. HE 180/2009.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Press release 224/2010. The aim of the Tobacco Act is to put an end to smoking in Finland. http://www.stm.fi/en/pressreleases/pressrelease/view/1522179
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Finland´s ASH
Olympiastadion
Eteläkaarre, A-porras,
00250 Helsinki, FINLAND
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+358 9 148 6615 |
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+358 9 486 600 |
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