Turkey cleans up the air

23 May 2008

Turkey is one step closer to most European countries' legislation on smoking bans as it has just banned smoking in most enclosed areas, as well as some outdoor places.

Smoking was already forbidden on buses, airplanes and large offices, but prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended the ban to taxis, ferries, as well as shopping malls, but also to outdoor stadiums and playgrounds.

The ban has come into effect at the beginning of this week and has received mixed reactions from people, some of whom are not prepared to hear about next year's plan to forbid smoking in bars, restaurants and coffeehouses.

The new law aims at reducing the number of smokers in the country, currently estimated at 40 percent of the adult population, and to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoking effects.

To back up the new piece of legislation and deter unlawful smokers, the government has also implemented 50 Turkish lira fines, representing an amount of around $40.

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