A law banning smoking in all public venues, including all educational, health, commercial, social, cultural, sports and entertainment facilities and their corridors, went into full effect on July 19, 2009. In 2008, the first year of the smoking ban, the number of cigarettes sold in Turkey stood at 107.89 billion. The number of cigarettes sold decreased by 405 million in 2009, when the law was expanded to all public venues, including all restaurants, coffeehouse, cafeterias and bars.
The number of packages of cigarettes consumed decreased to 12.78 million last year from 14.73 million in 2009. The available data explains that the law banning smoking in public venues was the major reason behind a decrease in tobacco consumption.
Turkey currently ranks fifth in the world and third among European countries in terms of full compliance with smoking bans. The law requires that all restaurants, coffeehouses, cafeterias and bars have an appropriate outdoor area if they wish to serve smokers. The ban calls for a TL 69 fine for those who smoke in a prohibited area and a fine of up to TL 5,600 for operators who allow it to happen.
