Norway butts out

“Welcome to Norway. The only thing we smoke here is salmon,'” read posters issued by the Norwegian government, a week before it eliminated smoking in all workplaces, including bars, restaurants and discos on June 1.

The posters are part of a new smoke-free campaign launched by the Norwegian health department as Norway becomes the second country in Europe after Ireland to implement a total smoke-free policy in all workplaces.

“This law does not aim to reduce the number of smokers, but simply aspires to ensure that employees in restaurants and bars have a smoke-free work environment,” Health Minister Dagfinn Hoeybraaten said.

In addition to the new information campaign, the Norwegian government has been trying to get the country’s citizens to quit smoking by attacking their wallets. At more than $9.70 U.S. a pack, Norway, along with Britain, has the most expensive cigarettes in Europe.