How is the smoking ban going in Turkey? I´m so glad I stopped smoking a few years ago. Not being able to smoke was such a pain. 

Quoting si++

Finally!

 

 

Sale of hookah has been prohibited in areas where consumption of tobacco products is not permitted.

Those who want to sell hookah will have to obtain a conformity certificate, according to regulation in the Tobacco and Alcohol Sale Law released in the Official Gazette today.

The current smoking ban is valid in almost all closed areas such as public institutions, schools, hospitals and sports arenas as well as all bars, cafes and restaurants. With the new regulations, hookah will also be banned in those areas as well.

Still not good and enough. People are trying to find ways to bypass it. At least they they don´t smoke in indoor areas. Smoking "Nargile" indoor was weird really. When I complained about it several times, I was told there was no ban for doing it.

We have way to go. I don´t like seeing people smoking at doorsteps of shopping centers or sitting some meters away from those who smoke at outdoor.

Smoking at outdoor should also banned where many people sit side by side IMHO.

There are some positive results I believe. Number of people has been decreased since the law was passed several years ago.

I think you are showing some naivite also. You seem bent on blaming "Americans" for the ills of the world, but I wonder if you have ever actually been in the USA, and if you have been, where that was. The USA is an incredibly diverse country. 

The issue is the haves and the have nots and the continueing effort to get more, take more and give less. It has nothing to do with any ethicity, religion or race. 

It´s the International oligarthic 1% keeping control of resources, it´s always about resources, power and control of r e s o u r c e s. 

It´s divide and conquer.....it goes on and on and amazingly....it works because people fall into the trap. 

I would never go to a place that is full of racist and barbaric pigs, and I don´t have to go there to know how much they hate muslims. And if it has nothing to do with religion, why do the christian crusaders invade only muslim countries and genocide only muslims? Why doesn´t your christian country invade the Ivory Coasts for example which is a christian country that opresses its people? Because christian crusaders bring "democracy" only to muslims?

Here are just a few pictures of the "poor Americans who has fallen into trap". They look so innocent!

http://www.drugwar101.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Abu-Ghraib-Iaq-torture.jpg

http://www.bloggerheads.com/abu_ghraib/iraq_torture_01.jpg

http://www.planetization.org/americanwarcrimes.jpg

http://www.peacenowar.net/Iraq/News/April%2004-Photos/Abu%20Ghraib/20040507115909990001.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/12/article-2025512-0D53985500000578-56_233x423.jpg

http://www.fpp.co.uk/online/04/02/images/iraqi_prisoner.jpg

    J1 students come to my city from the Middle East every year. They are not treated with discrimination, and I was awed by how much help they received during their visit. They weren´t hateful towards me for being American, and Americans weren´t hateful towards them for being Muslims or Middle Eastern. One of the Turkish J1s that I got to know was a devout Muslim. I saw him as a good, honorable person with amazing devotion to his religion that deserved respect. And he wasn´t persecuted for his beliefs.

    Both of the churches that I go to pray for people suffering in the Middle East, INCLUDING Muslims. They encourage to unconditionally love those who love and hate them, friends and enemies.

    It hurts to see such hatred and bitterness in people´s hearts, and the destruction it causes. Not all are, but there ARE good people in America. Racism clouds judgment, and not every American is infected with it. You are firmly grounded in your beliefs, but I am also grounded by the goodness in people that I see every day in this country.

At least try to be consistent.

"Very true in your sarcasm, elifce. It is sad that Americans tend to be so stereotypical. They think that "Muslim" automatically means "terrorist." Openmindedness is not a popular trait here"

Saudi Arabia also oppresses its people and the West has no problem with that.

Exactly, because Saudis are the dogs of christian America.

We produce many excuses with this democracy thing. Somehow the west is always in the discussion to blame mainly.

When it comes to blame the west, we always always find a way: In the same context, we accuse the west for not interfering -quick enough -in Bosnia and call them an imperialist because they are interfering in Libya.  

Actually, many of the problems are the problems of the east itself. Nothing to do with the west at all.

Some stupid minds decide to destroy Istanbul. They got the power and they will do it, unfortunately.

Whole story: here (in Turkish)

http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=36201