About 1,000 coffee house owners gathered in the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday to demonstrate against a drastic smoking ban, urging the government to relax restrictions to save struggling businesses, reports AFP.

The demonstration was headed by the Association of Coffee Shop Owners, who are angry because the smoking ban, which was broadened on 19 July this year to cover all public spaces including cafes, restaurants and bars, is harming their businesses. Shopkeeper associations say the number of clients has fallen by up to 20 per cent, and more than 500 coffee houses have shut down in Istanbul alone.
The Turkish government believes the ban will improve the health of its citizens, and encourage many to quit. However it has also seen tragedy when a bar owner was shot to death after warning his customers not to smoke inside. (pi)