How Finland reduced its smoking population by 50%?

1. From 29.7% in 2000 to 14% in 2018, Finland has successfully halved the smoking population of 15+ year-olds (who smoked daily or non-daily) within two decades.
2. Other than enforcing standard policies such as restrictive advertising, no smoking in public places etc., Finland has also been using other strategies to go tobacco-free by 2040.
3. Strategy 1: Very high taxes on cigarettes & smoking products
4. As per 2017 WHO report that compares taxation on most sold brand of cigarettes, Finland has the 2nd highest tax as a % of retail price 85%^?These figures have increased further for Finland in 2019., after Chile (89%).
5. Tax as a percentage of retail price on most smoked product, which is ‘roll your own’ in Finland is the highest in the world at 87*%; Australia’s tax on most smoked product (roll your own) is 70%, while for India (bidi), it is 20%.
6. Strategy 2: Heavy costs for vendors selling tobacco products
7. A business wanting to sell tobacco products has to pay a one-time license fee and then an annual fee (as high as $536 in some cases) per checkout counter.
8. So, for a big store with 10 checkout counters, this is $5,360 per year.
9. Strategy 3: Smoke-free balconies & cars
10. House letting agencies are allowed to ban tenants from smoking on private terraces and balconies.
11. It is not allowed to smoke in private cars if anyone under 15 years is present.
12. Strategy 4: Restrictions on products resembling cigarettes
13. Sweets & chocolates shaped as cigarettes are restricted (not banned) in sale; retail loyalty points or discounts are not redeemable for smoking products and sweets resembling cigarettes.
14. Strategy 5: Ban on e-cigarette flavours.
15. E-cigarettes can’t be sold in flavours, a tactic being accused of luring children or youngsters; e-cigarettes in Finland can be sold only in tobacco flavour.

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