Smoke-free inspections commence in Turkey's leading urban areas
Smoke-Free Turkey: A Nationwide Crackdown on Indoor Smoking
Turkey has launched an intensive anti-smoking campaign in the cities of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, as part of a new initiative called "Smoke-Free Turkey". This campaign aims to reduce smoking rates and encourage a healthier lifestyle, while enforcing strict penalties for indoor smoking violations.
Since July 19, 2009, Turkey has prohibited the use of tobacco products in enclosed areas of all public and private buildings, including places of entertainment. Law No. 4207, enacted in 2009, prohibits tobacco use in such areas, and teams supported by law enforcement are conducting field inspections to ensure compliance.
Individuals caught smoking indoors in enclosed public or private spaces face fines of up to 2,000 Turkish Liras (approximately $50). This penalty also applies to businesses or establishments that allow indoor smoking, reflecting the strict enforcement of the tobacco control law. Over 4,000 violations have been penalized this year alone.
The public health director at the Health Ministry, Muhammed Emin Demirkol, stated that inspections will be carried out intensively nationwide, starting with the three major cities. The campaign seeks to strengthen public compliance with the country's anti-smoking legislation and protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure.
The campaign targets not only traditional tobacco products but also e-cigarette products, which are banned for sale and use. Cross-regional enforcement efforts are expanding beyond the initial three cities, with nearly 1,000 teams involved in the inspections nationwide.
Turkey has expanded access to smoking cessation services, with currently 700 smoking cessation clinics in the country. The goal is to increase the number of smoking cessation clinics to 1,000 by the end of the year. Approximately 100,000 people in Turkey die each year due to smoking-related illnesses, making this initiative a crucial step towards improving public health.
The Smoke-Free Turkey initiative demonstrates a rigorous approach combining fines, inspections, and support services to enforce indoor smoking bans and reduce tobacco-related health impacts in major cities. The campaign is expected to have a significant impact on public health and contribute to a healthier lifestyle for the Turkish population.
In light of the Smoke-Free Turkey campaign, efforts have been extended to promote a healthier lifestyle, with a focus on nutrition and health-and-wellness. This could include recommending smoke-free diets rich in fruits and vegetables that aid in overall well-being and reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases.
Concurrently, as part of a broader approach to health improvement, measures to curb the use of electronic cigarettes have been introduced, recognizing that they too can negatively affect health, just like traditional tobacco products.
