Turkey expands smoking ban's reach

Ankara: 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 cafés were given a grace period that ended at midnight on Saturday.

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

Health Minister Recep Akdag says smoking rates have dropped seven per cent since May 2008, when the ban on indoor smoking was introduced.

He says more people will give up smoking now that bars, restaurants, cafés and hookah (shisha) bars 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 (café 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.

Under the new legislation, patrons violating the ban will be fined 69 Turkish Lira (Dh166), while owners who do not enforce the ban could be fined between 560 and 5,600 Turkish Lira (Dh1,347.68-Dh 13,476.80). Littering with cigarette butts carries a 25 Turkish Lira (Dh60) fine.

Turkey also set up a 4,500-person force to carry out surprise checks on bars, restaurants and coffeehouses.