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Finland to restrict smoking in private cars
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-15 15:18

HELSINKI: Finland could soon ban smoking in private vehicles if a child under 18 years old is a passenger, local media reported on Tuesday.

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A proposal on the issue will be handed to Finland's Parliament within two weeks. The legislation, which is expected to pass, would make Finland the only European country to regulate smoking in private cars.

However, no punishments are planned for smokers who break the rule for the time being. That means smokers can be urged, but not forced, to stop smoking if a child is in the car.

Finland first introduced anti-smoking legislation in 1977 and banned smoking in public places and workplaces in 1995, smoking ban in restaurants and bars also took effect in 2007 in the country. The ban in vehicles is just one of the changes in Finland's tobacco legislation that could come into effect next spring.