Fewer Icelanders smoke now than did 20 years ago. According to The Public Health Institute of Iceland, 30% of the nation smoked in 1989. Today, that figure is closer to 15%, and has as well significantly reduced in the past year. There was little difference between the genders in terms of who smokes how much.
A smoking ban went into effect in 2007 that forbade lit tobacco products in bars, restaurants and clubs. While the majority of Reykjavík residents supported the ban, many pub owners were upset that they were left out of the decision-making process. What effect the smoking ban has contributed to the steady decline in smoking in Iceland remains to be seen.