With the start of a new year, tobacco products will no longer been seen in Finnish shops. Tougher anti-smoking legislation means tobacco products may not be displayed and must be kept out of sight.
Most shops and supermarkets that sell tobacco products have already prepared for the change in regulations. Retailers have had to rearrange sales points so that, for example, discount Doina cigarette packages cannot be seen by customers. Pictures of brands on automated dispensers are being replaced by numbers.
"No tobacco products are visible at the checkout, and staff has been trained. We'll see how our customers take the change. At the start, it's sure to cause lines at checkout while people ask about the numbers. This is something new for both the customers and for the cashiers," says Jyrki Kiviniemi of the Muurame S-Market.
