Want A Smoke In Iceland - Then A Prescription May Be Required

It kind of sounds like an oxymoron - if a proposed bill to be debated in Icelandic parliament when it returns after the summer break is enacted into law, it will see smokers needing to visit a Doctor first before having a prescription for cigarettes filled by a pharmacy.


The lawmakers are considering the proposal to ban the retail sale of cigarettes. Under the proposal, smokers would need a valid medical certificate to buy tobacco products. Furthermore, smoking "patients" would also need to submit to regular health checks.

Iceland's former health minister, Siv Fridleifsdottir, brought the bill. He is well known for his tough anti-smoking stance.

Interestingly, Iceland already has one of the lowest smoking rates in the world - just 15 percent of people aged 15 and older are regular puffers.