http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/country/turkey.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.pr-inside.com/tobacco-in-turkey-to-2011-new-research-report-on-companies-and-markets-r662983.htm http://tobacco.org/news/268118.html This databook is a detailed information resource covering all the key data points on Tobacco in Turkey. It includes comprehensive value volume segmentation and market share data. The databook supplies actual data to 2006 and full forecasts to 2011. PR Insider Turkey Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.bat.com/group/sites/UK__3MNFEN.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO7FVKUV?opendocument&SKN=1&TMP=1 http://tobacco.org/news/267596.html British American Tobacco today completed its acquisition of the cigarette business assets of Tekel, the Turkish state-owned tobacco company. The completion follows earlier approval by Turkey’s Competition Board and ratification by the Turkish Privatisation High Council. BAT Turkey Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=232411 http://tobacco.org/news/265772.html Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market is expected to grow dynamically in Turkey after the country introduced an extensive smoking ban in most enclosed areas such as taxis, ferries and shopping malls. The 400-million YTL NRT market has already seen a 20 percent hike in demand for NRT products and counselling in Turkey where around 4 million Turkish smokers seek aid each year to stop lighting up and some of them are ready to pay as high as 660 YTL (530 USD) for the purpose. TurkishPress.com Turkey Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=105268 http://tobacco.org/news/265762.html The new tobacco law limiting smoking in public zones has received mixed reactions from cigarette companies. The new law satisfies some cigarette producers while others react to the prohibition of sponsorship activities. Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which implements culture and art projects as well as corporate social responsibility projects, criticized the article that restricts sponsorship activities of cigarette producers in Turkey. The firm, foreign capital investment of which has exceeded $500 million since 1990, spends $500,000 per project. Faced with the new law, JTI warned that the portion allocated from the budget to social responsibility projects may be drawn back to be used in other countries. These sponsorship activities never aimed to advertise cigarettes or encourage smoking, JTI said in a statement. "Our brands are not used as a part of sponsorship activities," the firm continued. "Accordingly, we never used materials that can relate, directly or indirectly, to our cigarette brands in our activities. These activities solely aim to contribute to Turkey and Turkish people." Turkish Daily News Turkey Fri, 23 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20080521015726952 http://tobacco.org/news/265633.html On the first day that the law was in effect, also a national holiday, many people flooded into shopping malls throughout Istanbul. Shoppers and sellers alike were forced to take their smoking outside, and the initial impression is that most complied, if somewhat grudgingly. Most of those who were smoking outside in the searing heat noted that they would rather smoke in an air-conditioned smokers' room. Most Turks passed the initial test as a new law that imposes strict restrictions on places where people can smoke came into force yesterday. Local shopkeepers meanwhile are worried that the new law will hit their businesses hard. Because it was a national holiday, all businesses and schools were closed yesterday. Turks.us Turkey Wed, 21 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/19/turkey-smoking-nation-tries-out-ban/?scp=1-b&sq=smoking&st=nyt http://tobacco.org/news/265599.html Overall, about half the total population was counted as smokers, about 10 percentage points more than in the runners-up: Lebanon (41 percent), Greece and Cuba (40 each), according to the poll. In other words, the saying “to smoke like a Turk” was well-earned. (Another easy verbal connection was not, though. Despite the irresistible headline in the local papers — “Turkey readies to go cold turkey” — the somewhat obscure origins of that expression appear to lie elsewhere.) Starting today, Turks have far fewer places to indulge legally. Smoking was banned in almost all enclosed public areas, though the most painful blow — against cafes, restaurants and bars — won’t take effect until July. Individual lawbreakers could face a fine of $40, and businesses between $400 and $4,000. As numerous as they are, Turkey’s smokers aren’t putting up much of a fight over the new rules. Indeed, according to a poll cited by the Turkish Daily News, four-fifths of them support the ban, and at least half see it as an opportunity to quit or cut back their deadly habit. New York Times Blogs world.nyt@gmail.com (Mike Nizza) Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=104947 http://tobacco.org/news/265571.html New regulations extending the smoking ban in enclosed public places came into effect yesterday. The new law prohibits smoking not only in all enclosed areas, including taxis, ferries, trains, shopping malls and the courtyards of all educational, cultural and social service buildings, but also in certain open-air areas, namely stadiums and playgrounds. Cafes and restaurants - except for those located in shopping malls - will benefit from a transition period with a total ban only coming into force for them on July 19, 2009. In 1997 smoking was banned in public buildings with more than four workers, as well as on planes and public buses. The advertising of tobacco is also prohibited in Turkey. The new law, which was passed by Parliament in January, prohibits lighting up in all indoor areas including government offices, workplaces, shopping malls, schools, stadiums, hospitals, restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes and hotels. . . . Turkey is also one of the world's main tobacco growers Turkish Daily News Turkey Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=142367&bolum=101 http://tobacco.org/news/265569.html The law, passed by Parliament in March, calls for a YTL 50 fine for smoking in prohibited areas. But enforcing smoking bans has been difficult in the past, and it is not unusual to see people lighting up next to no-smoking signs in public places. Some were already protesting yesterday. Abdullah Özer, a 23-year-old shoeshine man from İstanbul, said he smoked a pack a day. Saying that he had heard about the ban, he criticized it and said: "Well, say you have a smoker going to the coffeehouse. He will play cards but he won't smoke? Is that possible?" He also commented that he did not feel the ban's implementation would be successful. Özer said that while he would be careful not to toss butts on the ground, "I'm sure someone else will." Şadi Kılıç, a 34-year-old accountant who reporters from the Cihan news agency spotted tossing a cigarette butt on the ground in a public park yesterday, said he had no idea that his act of littering was now punishable by YTL 20 under the new law. Municipal garbage sweepers in parks were arguably the happiest about the new restrictions on public smoking. Zaman Daily Newspaper advertise@todayszaman.com Turkey Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://english.sabah.com.tr/03904925BE31498A855CB0B619099E69.html http://tobacco.org/news/265567.html The ban on smoking went into effect yesterday. On the first day of the ban, the police interfered with those who smoked during the May 19th celebrations in Ankara. Smokers have started to hit the pavements with the enforcement of the ban on smoking in enclosed areas. Some citizens are angry and some support the ban. Sabah Turkey Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-19-voa48.cfm http://tobacco.org/news/265564.html In Istanbul's huge Cezaye shopping mall, one of Europe's largest, cigarettes are now forbidden. Security guards are under strict orders to enforce the new law, which makes owners of public buildings liable for a $4,000 fine if people are caught lighting up. Individual smokers face a $100 fine and will also be penalized for even dropping cigarette butts. Enjoying the new smoke free air is 30-year-old shopper Hasmet Topoglu. He says the new law is long overdue. . . . Ozgur Genc, a two pack a day smoker says the law will do little to break his habit. "OK its forbidden I am going to pay my fine and going to smoke one cigarette," said Ozgur Genc. "There are so many people who can pay for it and smoke for it in Turkey, you will see." But the government seem equally determined. Only days before the ban came into force, it issued a directive that strictly interprets the law, ruling out any ambiguities in the new legislation, along with a warning that it will be rigorously enforced. While the state authority controlling media also warned it would strictly enforce the ban on all images of cigarettes on TV programs and films. Turkey now seems set for a battle of wills. VOANews.com Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=104833 http://tobacco.org/news/265527.html As the ban on smoking takes effect today, a recent survey revealed that many Istanbul residents support the measure, it was reported yesterday. However, both smokers and non-smokers believe that implementation will be very difficult, daily Milliyet reported yesterday. The new law on control and prevention of harm caused by tobacco products has been criticized for being too strict. It bans smoking in all enclosed areas, with few exceptions. Smoking will be prohibited in all forms of public transport as well as in some open-air areas as well, namely the courtyards of all educational, cultural and social service buildings as of today. Although businessmen deem the law too strict, around 87 percent of the people questioned said the ban is positive, according to the survey conducted by the A&G Research Company for Milliyet. Turkish Daily News Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7407985.stm http://tobacco.org/news/265526.html Smoking has been banned from most enclosed public spaces in Turkey but smokers can still light up in cafes, bars and restaurants for another year. The law, which builds on a ban affecting some public transport, also prohibits smoking in outdoor venues such as playgrounds and stadiums. It aims to both discourage smoking and reduce secondary smoke health risks. About 40% of adults - 25 million people - are smokers, making Turkey one of the world's hardest-smoking countries. BBC Online Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/19/turkey http://tobacco.org/news/265524.html A prohibition on smoking will be phased in from today in what is certain to be a profound culture shock for millions of Turks used to lighting up with impunity regardless of the setting. Smoking will be banned in enclosed public spaces and buildings, including government facilities, sporting venues, shopping malls and public transport. Hotels will be required to designate rooms and areas for smokers. The move has been prompted by a combination of public health concerns and a desire to bring Turkish law into line with European practices. The Guardian reader@guardian.co.uk (Robert Tait in Istanbul) Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/turkey/8973398.asp?gid=231&sz=94024 http://tobacco.org/news/265523.html A law extending a smoking ban to most enclosed areas - including taxis, ferries and shopping malls - has come into effect in Turkey. As of midnight Monday, outdoor smoking was also banned in locations such as stadiums and playgrounds. According to a Prime Ministry notice clarifying the law, all enclosed areas, including tents and sunshades, with a roof are classified as non-smoking areas. The non-smoking ban also applies to areas that are partially covered. Hurryet Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=142243 http://tobacco.org/news/265513.html The designated smoking areas in buildings where they are allowed must be isolated from the rest of the building under the new law. This standard is defined as complete isolation of tobacco smoke and odor from the rest of the building. The smoking areas must also have a ventilation system and the area must be enclosed all sides. There will be warnings about the harm of smoking on the walls of smoking zones and clear signage on the doors showing that they are designated smoking areas. People under the age of 18 will not be allowed entry to these zones. The law also introduces the smoking ban in restaurants, cafeterias and coffeehouses; however, this particular article will not go into effect until July 19, 2009. But, if these places share a space with trade centers, cinemas, airports, bus terminals, sports and entertainment centers or shopping malls, which are not allowed to have designated smoking areas, then they, too, will be subject to the ban beginning today. The ban also affects hotels Zaman Daily Newspaper Turkey Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT