Tobacco control

Finland was an early pioneer of tobacco control. The declining rate of smoking today stems directly from the comprehensive approach to tobacco control developed since 1976.

Smoking has been especially high among men. In the late1940s some 76 % of Finnish men smoked. This had declined slightly by the 1960s, but was still a massive problem in the 1970s, when the first steps in health policy were taken to tackle smoking.

Smoking among women was far lower, about 13 % in the early 1950s. This has since increased. In 2008, about 24% of men and 18 % of women smoked.

A large body of long-term research on tobacco morbidity, mortality, prevention methods and cessation has promoted and assisted the development of legislation, tobacco control and prevention.

Governmental institutes, universities, NGOs and the educational and healthcare systems have constituted this combination of policies.

Legislation

The Tobacco Act of 1977 introduced compulsory health warnings on tobacco packages, prohibited all forms of tobacco advertising, set upper limits on harmful substances in tobacco, set a minimum age for bying tobacco products, prohibited smoking at schools, on public transport and in most public indoor venues.

In 1995, the law was amended to limit workplace smoking, raise the buying age from 16 to 18, stop sales of smokeless tobacco and stop modern forms of sales promotion of tobacco. It also banned smoking from school playgrounds.

Towards smokefree bars and restaurants

In 2000, the law was again altered. New amendments brought introduction of smokefree areas in bars and restaurants by 2003, and a ban on smoking at bar service counters. In 2000 environmental tobacco smoke was classified as a carcinogen substance.

In 2007, smoking was prohibited in bars and restaurants. The Act allows setting up a special smoking room with separate ventilation system. Tobacco smoke cannot spread from the smoking booth to smoke-free area.

Drinking, eating, serving and entertainment such as games are prohibited in the smoking booth. There was a greace period of two years. Thus, bars and restaurants became totally smoke-free in June 2009.

In addition to pharmacies, since 2006 nicotine replacement products have been available from grocery stores, kiosks and petrol stations shops for  the people aged 18 or over.

Health services and education

Avoiding and stopping smoking have featured increasingly in primary and occupation health care. Efforts have been built up over many years, including the use of guidelines and training by health authorities.

In 2002, The Finnish Medical Association and other organisations of health professionals adopted national consensus guidelines for smoking cessation services. The recommendations aim to improve the practical activities on smoking cessation by the health care system and health professionals.

There has been a vast amount of health education work to cut smoking. Much has been coordinated and funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. These activities have largely relied on funds made available by legislation stipulating that a proportion of tobacco tax revenue must be reserved by the state for tobacco control.

The NGO constituency in tobacco control is also well established. Several NGOs carry out major programmes on tobacco control. In addition, Finland´s ASH, set up in 1989, builds networks among among NGOs and every body/person interested in health-oriented tobacco policy. Besides, ASH has closely monitored the work of the tobacco industry.

Several NGOs have also been active in promoting smokefree environments. Efforts to stop smoking are supported by a telephone quitline and a website, maintained by the Pulmonary Association Heli and funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.


A comprehensive monitoring system

A comprehensive national information system is in place in Finland to monitor smoking, its determinants and consequences. The national health behaviour monitor is the major system to monitor smoking and its determinants among adults.

Since 1978, the National Istitute for Health and Welfare , THL (formely the National Public Health Institute, KTL) has conducted an annual postal survey of people aged between 15 and 64, and a biannual survey of people aged between 65 and 84.

The nation-wide biannual surveys of young people, aged 12-18, has proven valuable in monitoring youth smoking trends over time. The survey, first carried in 1977, is conducted by Tampere University´s School of Public Health.

Statistics Finland follows tobacco sales trends. The National Cancer Registry and Hospital Discharge Registry provide information on smoking related diseases and mortality statistics.

Sources:

Tobacco legislation in Finland 1977-2009.

National Institute for Health and Welfare. Health Behaviour and Health among the Finnish Adult Population, Spring 2008. Report 2/2009.

Rainio S, Pere L, Lindfors P, Lavikainen H, Saarni L, Rimpelä A. The adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey 2009. University of Tampere, School of Public Health 2009.

Statistics Finland. Tobacco Statistics 2008. Health 2009.

Finland´s ASH 2009.

Updated 2.3.2010.