Smoking Ban Starts Tomorrow
The smoking ban starts tomorrow in public buildings, schools, workplaces, shopping centers, theaters, cinemas, public transport, and taxis, A smoking ban in coffeehouses, eateries, bars, etc., begins on July 19, 2009. There will be a fine of 50 YTL for anyone smoking in a prohibited area, 20 YTL for throwing a cigarette packet or butt on the ground, and hefty fines for owners of the establishments, between 500 and 5000 YTL. Selling cigarettes to anyone under 18 will land you in jail for 6 months to a year.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly two-thirds of the world’s smokers live in only 10 countries, led by China and India and followed by Indonesia, Russia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Germany and Turkey.
(click for article, in English)
A poll of Istanbul residents showed the following:
87% approve of the ban, but 50% will continue smoking as before.
55% of the population of Istanbul smokes, most a pack a day.
47% think the ban will be enforced, 37% that it will be hard to enforce.
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