Jump to full article: DW World (Deutsche Welle) (de), 2009-07-19
Intro: The expression "smoke like a Turk" seems destined for the rubbish bin of history after Turkey introduced Sunday some of the toughest anti-smoking legislation in Europe.
Smoking has been banned from all closed public areas, bars, cafes and restaurants, and even extends to patrons sitting outside cafes. Anyone caught puffing away in a non-smoking area faces an on-the-spot 45-euro fine, while cafe owners face penalties of up to 2,500 euros.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an avid anti-smoker, has instructed the country's governors to rigorously enforce the ban. He has even called for officials who fail to do so to be punished. The new law is being seen as the final nail in the coffin for one of the country's most ancient traditions.
Turkey has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world, and the legislation is expected to cause troubles for cafes, bars and restaurants in cities like Istanbul, where the hospitality industry is bracing for a hit to profits.
Cafe owner Suleymain Aktas told Deutsche Welle his business was already suffering due to the economic crisis, and that the smoking ban would add salt to the wound.
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