There is to be an absolute ban on smoking in Oulu health and social service workplaces. Employees will not be allowed to smoke at all during working hours.

The strict ban, to introduced at the beginning of next year, will see the end of the traditional 'fag break.' Employees will not be permitted to smoke anywhere on the premises at all and nor will people using the facilities as patients. However, there will be slightly 'distinctive' rules for psychiatric hospitals. Rooms that remain set aside for smoking will all be closed.

According to the city's health and social services department, the ban has been introduced in the interests of the 'health and safety' of both patients and employees. The decision was made was by the head of the department and the department is encouraging Oulu City Council to introduce a similar ban in all of its work-places. Oulu Health and Social Services department employs about 3700 people including all state doctors and nurses.

The ban comes near to the second anniversary of the banning of smoking in Finnish bars and restaurants. However, many bars have managed to get round the ban by applying for extension and then maintaining a separate 'smoking room' into which drinks are not permitted to be taken.