The expression "smoke like a Turk" seems destined for the rubbish bin of history now that Turkey has introduced some of the toughest anti-smoking legislation in all of Europe. The new ban aims to curb Turkey´s love affair with tobacco, which is blamed for 100,000 smoking deaths in the country each year.

100,000 tobacco-related deaths a year

A Turkish health commercial warns of the dangers of smoking, It says every year over 100,000 people die from smoking.

The commercial is part of the government´s new campaign against smoking. This week the government introduced some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in Europe. Smoking is now banned in all closed public places, and that includes traditional tea and coffee houses.

For centuries Turks have passed the time sipping their tea and coffee with a cigarette. These smoke-filled rooms are iconic images of Turkey. But no more.

At the Keyif Coffee House the new ban has already hit hard, according to its owner.
 
An end to ancient tradition?

"Sure this ban will affect us both work wise and lifestyle. We will not be able to live the way we did. As for our cafe, we will have to find new ways to take some economical measures like sacking workers," he said. "Considering the material and emotional loss of all the people we sacked, the cigarette ban does not create a good picture for us, and three months ago I paid for a new license to sell tobacco."
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How are you (smoking) guys coping with this

 Quite smoking...got tired of being a pariah....now I take walks and deep breaths.....Times change....I hope I never go back to that expensive habit again....

This ban is supported by most of the Turkish people. Even by 80% of smokers in Turkey. I hope many smokers will quit this stupid habit with the help (or as a result) of this ban.

I am a non smoker and am happy I wont be poisoned anymore from smokes. Turkey showed a good example for other countries. Way to go!

I hate these stupid laws. Why not have a non-smoking AND a smoking section? As a smoker I do not mind you borrow my smoke...

BTW It can be worse: here in Japan in some cities, like Kobe and Nara (where I`m now), you can`t even smoke on the streets! In Kobe they`ll fine you with 1000 yen (8 euro) when you do that. Not that I would be bothered with a fine of a low amount like that but the hassle with a police officer who does not speak English.... McD. and thelike earned a lot of money from me, everytime I wanted to smoke I headed for these places - with the compulsory drink.....

Sorry to my friends who smoke.....but I will enjoy my Turkish vacations much more now that I will be able to breath in public areas.   

Agreed...and I will enjoy living here more.  However they seem to be taking the ´no smoking indoors´ rule a bit further with the addition of ´no smoking under a canopy/awning attached to the restaurant´ - which means that the only way people will be allowed to smoke is if they leave the table and walk out into the street.  Even though I´m a non-smoker this does seem a bit harsh.   Outdoor smoking has never bothered me here - it´s in the winter that it´s bad when it´s too cold to leave the doors open and you feel as if you are eating or drinking in a fog (a very smelly fog!).

We actually have laws here in the US that say you can´t smoke within 50 feet of a public entrance.  So many places have a designated area on the side of a building where smoking is allowed.  Believe me, if you have asthma, walking thru a cloud of smoke before getting into a building can be a bit of a challenge, so I really appreciate these laws.  However, I do think that smokers should have a place where they can smoke freely without worrying about getting in trouble or putting someone into a full blown asthma attack. 

 The problem with smoking is the smoke doesn´t stay in one place, it disperses....I do think people are a little over sensitive about it though, but smokers could and should be more thoughtful about where and how they smoke.  It seems all those years of being subjected to smokers has taken it´s toll, not the nonsmokers are extracting revenge. 

However, I notice now that I´m not smoking, even though the smokers are outside....and 20 feet from the door....it still smells up the rotunda of my office.  Also, when I take my walks around the building, walking through a cloud of smoke is not particularly pleasant.  People who smoke do not smell nice.

I miss the days of carefree smoking, but those days are gone. If they could make all the pubs in Ireland smoke free, what is next?  It´s just so hard to quite, but it´s worth it.  I hope I stopped before too much damage was done.

As far as I know, one out of every 20 persons has a predisposition to developing lung cancer. These people need not become smokers; even being exposed to the faint smell of tobacco over prolonged periods  significantly increases the risk for them. 

The Amerindians had a very different method of tobacco use.

EARLY USES OF INDIAN TOBACCO IN CALIFORNIA

The Sacred Use of Tobacco

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Crimean_War

In the infameous Crimean War

- The Brits sacrificed the brave Light Brigade, in a show of utter incompetence.

- Florence Nightingale was tending the wounded.

- The Turks rolled out cigarettes with left over tobacco using old newspapers (first paper rolled cigarettes, as we know today), when cigar leaf rolling tobacco ran out.

- The French imitated the Turks, but were never as successful.

 heh heh what a claim to fame!

 this is how it is in Romania.there are bars which are only for smokers or only for non-smokers, and some of them have two parts with no connection. this is the law. Also, on the street, in very crowded places you can´t smoke just in some areas where are located some green pillars in the far site if the zone.and i can tell that nobody complains.i think it´s ok like that..everyone is happy.

the worst part of this ban is that you cant smoke in stadium... it is impossible not to smoke if you are a fenerbahce fan

 I thought Fenerbahçe fans were an endangered species these days. They seem to have been very quiet of late.

http://www.worldometers.info/

Smoking should be recommended strongly; in fact, cigarettes should be freely distributed.

Let´s get everyone smoking, before people start falling off the earth...It is getting too crowded here..

Neat site....it appears we need to even out the birth and death rates, which it looks like some are doing their best to do....

The worst part for me before the ban was that you can´t get inside the stadium because of the smokers around.

just watch the clock ticking...Soon there will be no empty fields for a decent game .  People will be sitting it out there....And that is only the beginning.

http://www.worldometers.info/

I am a happy to see them introducing stricter laws. Last year when I went to Turkey, I could not believe how much people smoked and everyone smokes. However, I eventualy got so use to it that I stared smoking (don´t tell my host dad, he still does not know ) However, I think it is good for the health of children and society to keep turkey smoke free.

Bravo Türkiye

 Funny, I noticed the opposite this year when I went Turkey!  I did not notice so much smoking as I have done in the past.    But then I supposed I was at the top of some of the highest mountains  some of the time. 

This smoking ban is so good!  it means i can tell my fella to quit even more now!

 If you "tell" someone to quit, they are more likely to quit you!

well, he´s said if it makes me happy he´ll quit, apparently he loves me more than the cigarettes... ! 

I don´t smoke cigarette. So that is Ok for me. What about nargile? This is most important thing I´ve been wondering since the ban begins

Another way to look at it is; if you love him, you will accept him as he is.

Even though I quite,  I hate the sanctimonious self righteous anti smoking crusade.  If they really care so much, why not make safer smokes?  If you really want to complain about something, how about automobile exhaust?

+100000000000

I´m a non-smoker, but I never minded people smoking, except for restaurants. I think the smell of smoke ruins the dishes. But now that smoking is banned, I really enjoy the fresh air! I don´t have red eyes anymore after going a night out, my hair and clothes don´t smell like smoke anymore, it´s great! I do feel a bit bad sometimes for the people who are standing outside in the cold, but...oh well, shhhh happens.

Oh, and I did tell my partner that I would want him to quit somewhere in the future, the first week we were dating. I thinks it´s fair to say that at the beginning, not after a year or so That way you both now what your expectations are. I saw too many people get hurt from smoking, and I love him, so I want to get old and wrinkly with him VERY old Lucky me, he quit a half year ago!