Turkey Enacts Smoking Ban Today
BalkanTravellers.com
Though the ban is not all-encompassing, it forbids smoking in government buildings, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, sports stadiums and work places. In hotels, smoking is allowed only in designated areas, while in bars, restaurants and cafés, the law permits a transition period until a complete ban in July of 2009.
About half of Turkey's population – according to a Gallup poll circulated by media, light up – giving Turkey the highest percentage of smokers in the world. Statistics show that about 100,000 people in Turkey die of smoke-related illness each year.
Though non-smoking visitors to Turkey may welcome the ban, as they might find the amount of smoke in public venues overwhelming, reportedly many Turks doubt it will be property enforced. This is despite the fact that now, according to a poll cited by the Turkish Daily News, four-fifths of the population supports the ban.
The ban's effect remains to be seen in the coming days, and perhaps more importantly for travellers – after it begins to cover cafés, bars and restaurants in July of next year.
Read more about Turkey on BalkanTravellers.com
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