Key Contextual Factors
- The Finnish strategy does not support “harm reduction” policy. It means that the products like smokeless tobacco or e-cigarettes are not promoted. We want to get rid of all tobacco and nicotine products as we do not want to have nicotine addicted population.
- Legislation of the endgame goal is a key, but a comprehensive approach to implement actions to reach the goal is also needed.
- Consensus and cooperation among members of the tobacco control community is essential. Tobacco-Free Network 2030 is the key actor in Finland.
- It is important to have international collaboration and support, e.g. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and EU Tobacco Products Directive.
Key Components/Steps
- Finland was the first country in the world to set an endgame goal in 2010 included in the Tobacco Act. A key leader in this was the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Paavo Lipponen.
- Tobacco-Free Finland Network was created to coordinate concrete measures to influence political decision making and action. The network includes NGOs and governmental organisations.
- In the Tobacco Act reform in 2016, a new goal was enlarged to cover also nicotine-containing products set to achieve tobacco- and nicotine-free Finland by 2030. The goal was defined achieved if less than 5 % of the general population use daily the products regulated under the Act.
- In 2016, Finland introduced pioneering e-cigarette regulation, which covered flavour bans, age limits to buyers, prohibitions of marketing, displaying and distance selling, import restrictions and bans on use in non-smoking areas.
- In 2018, an inter-sectoral working group prepared 44 proposals to legislation and other policy measures in order to achieve the goal. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health appointed the working group.
- In 2021, part of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Act were included in the draft government proposal.
- Each government until 2030 should investigate and evaluate how to achieve the endgame goal and propose further actions.
Main Impacts / Added Value
- Smoking has decreased a lot among adolescents and adults. Nowadays Finns are among the least smoking countries in Europe.
- It is demonstrated that it is possible to reduce the number of smokers without seeing an increase in e-cigarette users.
- The goal is widely acknowledged among public, also among daily smokers, and politicians.
- The differences in smoking have not diminished between different socio-economic groups.
- Tax policy is not included in the scope of the Tobacco Act, but it is an important part of tobacco policy. Tobacco tax and prices have increased regularly.
Lessons Learned
- Clear aim can be measured and monitored.
- The aim is in the legislation.
- Comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach.
- Political climate and public opinion is supportive.
- Evidence-based and cost-effective action.
- Organized partnership between NGOs and government.
- Regular monitoring and review of progress.
- Difficult to find effective measures to diminish socio-economic disparities.
- Slow process.
- Tobacco industry interference.
- Insufficient funding for supportive actions.
- Lack of resources (e.g. cessation services in health care).
References and Documentation
Contact
- Institution/organization: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
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Department/lead: Promotion and Welfare
- E-mail: Meri.Paavola@stm.fi
- Web: https://stm.fi/en/
- Institution/organization: Tobacco-Free Network
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Department/lead: Finland´s Ash
- E-mail: Mervi.Hara@suomenash.fi
- Web: https://savutonsuomi.fi/en/