Finland and Britain lead world in reduction of smoking deaths

The number of deaths from diseases related to smoking has declined faster in Finland and Britain than anywhere else in the world. This represents a significant turnaround from the 1950s and 1960s, when both countries' lung cancer figures were among the worst in Europe. The positive figures were presented on Tuesday by Professor Richard Peto of Oxford University at a seminar held in connection with the ongoing World Conference on Smoking or Health in Helsinki. Professor Timo Hakulinen of the University of Helsinki sees the improvement in the situation in Finland as the result of painstaking work. According to Professor Hakulinen, Finland has sought to reduce smoking by implementing a versatile tobacco policy involving taxation, education, and legislation. Similar measures have been enacted in the UK. Peto says that one third of those dying of smoking-related diseases succumb to lung cancer. Smoking is also linked with more than 20 other diseases, including cardiovascular disease and emphysema. Hakulinen says that the most significant factor in the decrease in lung cancer deaths has been the reduction in smoking.