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Finnish trade union angle
on globalisation: Everything
at stake - safeguarding interests in a world without frontiers Smoke-free workplace legislation has significantly reduced smoking* Helsinki (20.11.2001 - Juhani Artto) Smoking restrictions at workplaces in Finland were voluntary until March 1995 when a reform to the Tobacco Control Act prohibited smoking in all common and public premises. The new legislation gives employers two options when implementing the Act: either impose a total ban on smoking or allow smoking in designated smoking rooms with separate ventilation systems and lower air pressure than non-smoking facilities. A new study* indicates that in terms of reducing smoking and nicotine concentrations in indoor air the legislation has clearly achieved better results than the voluntary programme. This study was conducted at twelve medium-sized and large workplaces by investigators from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The incidence of smoking decreased from 29.6 to 25.0 per cent and was significant for both men and women. There was more variation by education level. Although the incidence of smoking among elementary or complementary school leavers fell from 37.2 to 33.4 per cent and that of senior high or vocational school leavers from 32.9 to 25.3, college or university graduates reduced their smoking at work from 16.8 to only 16.0 per cent. The average number of cigarettes consumed daily by smokers fell from 19 to 16. At industrial workplaces the median aerial nicotine concentration declined from 1.2 to 0.05 micrograms per cubic meter, while the corresponding fall in the service sector was from 1.5 to 0.2 and in offices from 0.4 to 0.1. Legislation on smoking in restaurants and cafeterias was also tightened recently, resulting in a remarkable fall in exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work for tens of thousands of employees in the catering industry. *Heloma, Jaakkola, Kähkönen, Reijula: The Short-Term Impact of National Smoke-Free Workplace Legislation on Passive Smoking and Tobacco Use, American Journal of Public Health, Sept. 2001 http://www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/91/9/1416.pdf
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Occupational safety and
health in Finland, Socius 2-2001 (pdf-file) Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001 The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001 Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001 Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement SAK 15.12.2000 Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000 New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000 Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000 Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000 Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000 New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000 Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000 Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000 SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000 National Economy and State Finances Ministry of Finance Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline European working time conference held in Helsinki eironline
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