Health inspectors could be given powers to ban smoking on balconies

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Instructions on how to curb and control health and social detriments caused by smoking on residential balconies were published on Thursday.
      The instructions will standardise the responsibilities and tasks of the municipal health protection officials, housing companies, and real estate managers.
      For example, if only one chain-smoker lives in one of the residences managed by a housing company, and no defects have been detected in the structures of the building, a health protection official can intervene in the situation.
      The official can order the smoker to take action in order to restrain or restrict the health hazard caused by his or her smoking.
     
If the residents cannot reach an agreement on the restraining of the health risk caused by smoking, the resident who is suffering from the harm can contact the real estate manager and the board of the housing company and ask them to take measures in order to eliminate the nuisance.
      If the decisions made by the housing company are not sufficient to get rid of the hazard, the sufferer can contact the municipal health protection official.
      The municipal health inspector can make a move after a health risk has been verified.
      The instructions were compiled by the National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health (STTV), the Finnish Real Estate Federation (FREF), and the Finnish Real Estate Management Federation, among others.
     
From June 1st this year, smoking will also be outlawed in pubs and restaurants, except in those establishments htyta have either sought a two-year transition period or have arranged smoking booths for the purpose.
      This creates an interesting legal loophole and quandary: most publicans and restaurateurs will be sending their clients outside into the street or terrace for a cigarette, and it is likely that the smoke will waft to any apartments that may be above a ground-floor pub or restaurant. The same arguments are likely to emerge with residents complaining of passive smoking.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ministry of Social Affairs and Health plans to curb smoking on balconies (13.1.2006)

Links:
  The National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health (STTV)
  Finnish Real Estate Federation (FREF)
  The Finnish Real Estate Management Federation

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