Tobacco.org

• Turkey Immersed in Smoke despite Imminent Ban 

Despite the complete smoking ban that is supposed to come into force in September, Turkey is immersed in cigarette smoke, national media reported.

A new law that prohibits smoking in all public places, including cafés, restaurants and bars, was voted and approved in January. It is expected to come into force in September.

Despite the impending ban, however, Turkey shows no sign of cutting down or giving up on cigarettes. A recent publication of the Anatolian Agency contained some facts indicative of the trend: in 2007, 76 packs of cigarettes were smoked per person and around 22.5 million euros are spent on cigarettes daily.

Other data shows that nearly half of Turkey’s population – about 25 million people, smoke. Beside being a major consumer, the country is also a major tobacco producer.

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