Smoke-free public premises

For many years, the only public premises in which smoking was still allowed were cafés, restaurants, bars and similar places serving food and drinks. Other public premises were already smoke-free.

The 1993 Tobacco Act introduced the original ban on smoking:

• in premises intended for childcare, school activities or other activities for children or young people,
• in premises intended for health and medical care,
• in premises intended for communal use in housing and institutions providing special service or care, and
• in vehicles used in domestic public transport or in premises and other areas intended for use by people travelling with such vehicles.

In addition, the Act required hotels to offer certain smoke-free rooms.

Further smoke-free environments

The following year, smoke-free environments were extended through an amendment to the Tobacco Act. This meant that the ban on smoking now also included

• school playgrounds and equivalent areas outside pre-schools and leisure-time centres,
• other premises in which general meetings or public events are held and premises intended for use by people taking part in such meetings or events, and
• other premises, if the general public has access to these premises.

In connection with these changes, a requirement was also introduced for employers to ensure that employees are not exposed to tobacco smoke against their will in working premises.

Smoke-free premises before the existence of legislation

Before the Tobacco Act's regulations entered into force there were general recommendations for limiting tobacco smoking. These general recommendations were issued by the then National Board of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Board of Health and Welfare. Voluntary agreements regarding smoke-free environments were also found at workplaces (public and private).