A ban on smoking by Saarioinen, imposed two years ago, was challenged by the Finnish Food Workers’ Union SEL.

A labour court ruled on Monday that the ban does not exceed the authority of the employer, nor does it unreasonably limit the personal freedom of employees.

Company shift workers are not permitted to leave company premises while on meal breaks from their jobs, because it is paid time, and so are not allowed to smoke. Employees who work fixed schedules are permitted to leave company grounds, as their meal breaks are not on the clock.

The court further ruled that full smoking bans are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. It decided that in Saarioinen's case, as a food processor, the smoke-free nature of its facilities is justified by the requirements of its corporate image.