A law banning smoking in public places went into effect on 19 May.

The law prohibits smoking in government offices, workplaces, shopping malls, schools and hospitals, as well as in taxis, ferries and shopping malls. Smoking is also banned in outdoor venues such as playgrounds and stadiums.
Cafes, bars and restaurants will enjoy a transition period until they too come under the ban in July 2009.
Any establishment defying the ban will receive a written warning, followed by a fine of up to TRY 5,000 (EUR 2,700 ). Any individual caught illicitly smoking risks a fine of approximately EUR 26.
A previous smoking ban applied only to larger offices, buses and airplanes. Tobacco advertising has also been prohibited. Smoking bans have seldom been rigorously enforced. About 40 per cent of the adult population in Turkey are smokers. (pi)