Lots of new legal stuff with the beginning of 2007. For instance some bad news for underage smokers: Beginning with yesterday all cigarette machines will be checked for safety measures to ensure that minors (under the age of 16) are not able to buy fags at the machines like they used to.

This works in various ways: you’ll have to insert your ATM-card or send a SMS to the machine (what?) so your age can be checked. On the plus side you can pay cash, ATM or even have your nicotine added to your phone bill.

Or quit smoking altogether.

According to the city council, about 90 % of all machines have already been re-modelled to adhere to the new legal situation. Twelve “Trafikanten” have already been fined for running unsafe machines.