23 September 2008 | A significant decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked was registered in Turkey four months after the country introduced a smoking ban, national media reported today.

The amount of cigarettes smoked in July and August of this year has decreased by 4.6 per cent compared to the same months of 2007, the Anatolian Agency reported. 520 million cigarettes less were smoked July of 2008 compared with last year, while the difference for August amounted to 457 million cigarettes.

Since smoking outside is possible in the summer, the publication noted, an even bigger decrease is expected in the winter months.

The total fines placed on those who break the smoking ban from its introduction until now amount to 20 million Turkish lira (around 11 million euro), the Anatolian Agency reported.

As BalkanTravellers.com reported, a ban on smoking in public places, including government buildings, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, sports stadiums and work places, was introduced in Turkey, starting on May 19.

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.

The success of the ban comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering that - according to a Gallup poll circulated by media in May, Turkey has the highest percentage of smokers in the world, with about half of the country’s population lighting up regularly.

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