An outdoor smoking ban in Sweden in certain public places, including playgrounds and train station platforms, has taken effect, The Associated Press reports.

The ban which started 1 July means that smoking is prohibited in outdoor areas of restaurants and entrances to designated booths for smokers. The ban also includes e-cigarettes, the report said.
Official figures show that in 2016 only 11 per cent of the Swedish population of 10 million smoked daily, with about 10 per cent smoking occasionally. In May 2005, Sweden banned smoking in bars and restaurants. According to the new law, the goal is to make the Scandinavian country smoke-free by 2025, the report said.