21 July 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, İSTANBUL
The effect of Turkey's smoking ban prohibiting tobacco products in all indoor areas, which went into force on Sunday, will be apparent in 50 years, according to Dr. Tevfik Özlü, head of Black Sea Technical University's (KTÜ) Farabi Hospital.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Özlü hailed July 19 -- the first day of the full implementation of the ban -- as a milestone for Turkey. He stressed that an important step had been taken to provide a healthy life for future generations. “With the introduction of smoke-free legislation, the youth will be protected against various malignant diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and paralysis, which also negatively affect quality of life,” he said. Hence, he said, the ban is for the benefit of all, but especially for smokers.In order to ensure the successful implementation of the law, everyone -- not just the officers authorized to enforce the ban -- should strive to protect smoke-free air, Özlü said. He emphasized that smokers should use this legislation as an opportunity to quit smoking. Being around smokers discourages people who are trying to quit, he said, adding: “Thanks to this legislation, smokers attempting to quit will not have as much difficulty because there will be no one smoking around them.”
