Reluctant Turks Prepare for Smoking Ban

For decades the tobacco haze filling Turkey's bars, restaurants and workplaces has been as much a feature of the country's cultural landscape as the stunning architecture of its mosques and historical buildings.

But now Turkey's image as a land of hardened smokers appears doomed to obsolescence as it prepares to follow the international fashion for blanket public smoking bans. 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. Premises that allow patrons to smoke could face fines of up to £100,000. The penalty for individual smokers will be £25.

Around 25 million of Turkey's population of 70 million smoke, including 60% of adult men and 11.7% of children. The country consumed an estimated 115bn cigarettes last year, a trend encouraged by cheap Turkish brands that sell for 75p a packet. Health campaigners say smoking-related diseases kill 150,000 Turks and cost the economy £1.4bn every year. The new law is supported by the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a non-smoker. But the reform is not expected to result in an overnight transformation. To give Turks time to get used to the idea the law will not be enforced for cafes, bars and restaurants until July next year.