Finland has banned selling or giving cigarettes to people under the age of 18 as part of extensive legislation that aims to make the Nordic country smoke-free by 2040. The new law says that anyone caught providing youth with tobacco products faces fines and a maximum six-month sentence. It came into force on Friday. The legislation also allows housing associations to ban smoking near children's play areas and on apartment balconies. Finland banned smoking in workplaces, public buildings and on public transport in 1995. In 2012, it will push cigarette retailing under the counter -- out of sight of underage customers, and three years later cigarette vending machines will be scrapped. 