Turkish Ban on Public Smoking Ignites Ire

(AP)  Turkey - a nation of smokers - on Sunday extended a ban on indoor public smoking to bars, restaurants, and even to traditionally smoke-filled village coffeehouses.

The ban came into effect despite protests from bar and coffeehouse owners who fear it will ruin businesses that have already been hit hard by the economic crisis.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-oriented government barred smoking in offices, public transport and other public places in May 2008 in an effort to reduce the country's high smoking rates and the effects of secondhand smoke on people's health. Bars, restaurants and cafes were given a grace period that ended at midnight Saturday.

"The country woke up this morning having carried out a cigarette revolution," commented Radikal newspaper on Sunday. "Smokeless life has begun," headlined Milliyet newspaper.

Health Minister Recep Akdag says smoking rates have dropped 7 percent since May 2008, when the ban on indoor smoking was introduced. He says more people will give up smoking now that bars, restaurants and cafes are also smoke-free.

The government has dismissed the bar and coffeehouse owners' protests and rejected requests that special smoking rooms be set up to make sure that smokers keep coming.

"There is no reason for (cafe and bar owners) to be worried. The public supports a smoke-free environment and the only ones to suffer will be the cigarette producers and sellers," Akdag told reporters.

"We are working to protect our future, to save our youth," Akdag said.

Under the new legislation, patrons violating the ban will be fined 69 Turkish Lira ($45), while owners who do not enforce the ban could be fined between 560 and 5,600 Turkish Lira ($366-$3,660). Littering with cigarette butts carries a 25 Turkish Lira ($16) fine.

Turkey is also setting up a 4,500-person force to carry out surprise checks on bars, restaurants and coffeehouses and help enforce the ban.

"To smoke like a Turk" is an expression used in many European countries to describe heavy smokers and the government says more than 100,000 people die annually in Turkey from smoking-related illnesses.

The government insists the ban has the public's support. But there was little evidence of that support on Sakarya street in Ankara, lined by fast food outlets and bars.

Posters on windows read: "We oppose cigarettes as well as the smoking ban." Bar and restaurant owners were planning to stage a protest later on Sunday.

At EskiYeni (OldNew) Bar on Sakarya, customers feted the "The Last Night of Smoking" Saturday, dancing to the rhythm of cigarette-themed '60s and '70s Turkish songs, including: "If only I could wrap you in my cigarette smoke and keep you forever" and "My drink and my cigarette are my only friends but would they leave me too if I had no money?"

"I think half of the bars on (Sakarya) street will go out of business," said Caglar Ozcan, who owns EskiYeni. "They are already suffering."

DJ Alper Fidaner said he smokes two packs every evening when working.

"I don't know how I will cope next week," Fidaner said. "I will have to put a record on and rush out for a smoke."

At Umut Folk Songs bar in Istanbul's entertainment district, Taksim, waiters began removing ashtrays at midnight as the singer announced that the ban on lighting up was in place.

Customer Huseyin Akyuz handed over his packet of cigarettes and lighter to the waiter, saying he was quitting. Others walked outside to smoke.

Erhan Kaya, a 30-year-old businessman, welcomed the ban and said he might even start going to the traditionally smoke-filled neighborhood coffeehouses where Turkish men usually pass time smoking and playing backgammon.

"I would never go because of the smoke," Kaya said. "But I think I will start going now to play backgammon."

Yesilay, an organization devoted to reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption, says around 40 percent of Turks over the age of 15 are smokers, consuming around 17 million packs a day.
By Associated Press Writer Suzan Fraser; AP Cameraman Mehmet Guzel contributed to this report from Istanbul

[avigil2]

I'll never understand why people smoke. It's a disgusting habit. The addiction just isn't there for me. Ugh!

[rf35]

Dang, now the Turks, too? At this rate, the Koreans might even ban smoking in bars someday. Frankly, I can't even imagine a smoke-free bar in Korea. Not only would they lose their customers, but most of the employees would probably quit, too.

[debinok1]

To date OSHA(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has not found smoking in the workplace to increase the risk of any disease. They actually found the opposite, that it would require a non-smoker to be in a 20ft square building with a 9ft ceiling completely enclosed unventilated confined space with an average of 65 packs an hour being smoked to have ANY affect what so ever.

[andylance1]

Poor Turkey. The are so eager to gain acceptance by the European Union they will do almost anything, including giving up century old traditions.

Meanwhile, in the United States, states and cities are constantly raising taxes and regulations on the consumption of cigarettes. We have become the ultimate nanny state and our freedoms are disappearing at an astonishing rate, especially now with the Obama administration.

America, the land of the un-free, over-regulated and taxed to the limit.

[barbaram99]

Take the smoking outdoors. I 'member years ago in here in America people smoked indoors every where. Bangor Maine became the first city/town in this nation to ban smoking in cars/trucks when minors are in them. People thot they lose business but they did not. For the health and well being it be a smart to say Not Here. They can go outdoors to smoke. In 1970 they barred smoking ads on TV here in America. John is right. It ia a legal drug cigersttes are. We can't ban them as they make money. They are nasty and cause health issues. Smokers should quit. I have a friend that quit cold turkey. He had to.

[Minivoyager]

Simple, smokers should switch to vaping instead.
http://www.GreenSmoke.com/Breakfree

[YCantWeAllGetAlong]

Smoking stinks and so do the people who smoke. The women look like old hags with their yellow teeth, stained fingers and wrinkled skin. The men? Even worse because usually they are drunks too. People look like idiots, driving and walking around with $7 a pack sticks that give you cancer. So what if it's an addiction? Quit. Don't want to hear all the boring excuses. Try living for once. I'm glad to hear these bans are taking hold all over the world. Smokers need to go.

[John_Merritt]

Smoking needs to go, not smokers. Apparently you have never been subject to an addictive behaviour? Cigarettes are the greatest scourge on mankind, ever. It has killed more people than all of our wars combined. It also is the most addictive SUBSTANCE known to man, but it sure keeps many people in the money. I am all for smoking going by the wayside of life, but there are many smokers I love. 'Hate the sin, not the sinner'. Remember.

[John_Merritt]

Isn't that interesting especially considering Turkey is majority Islamic and their religion does not recognize smoking as a 'sin'? Does the social conscious of a nation predicate policy over religion in this case?

Apparently the people have spoken, and time will tell how the health, socio-economic and, commerce, political and religious requirements are met or rejected. Very interesting to say the least.

[harpoot]

Well, the stuff I've smelled burning in those water pipes smelled like smoldering second hand mattress stuffing. I wouldn't miss that.