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[manzara]

On 19th July this year, a ban on smoking in enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, cafes and teahouses came into effect in Turkey.

Smokers tempted to ignore the ban will be spared execution as allegedly meted out in 17th-Century İstanbul Sultan Murad IV is said to have roamed the streets ordering the execution of those who defied a smoking ban aimed at curbing coffee house sedition!
Apparently Murad IV also banned alcohol and coffee in İstanbul.

He would patrol the streets and taverns of İstanbul in civilian clothes at night, policing the enforcement of his command. If, while patrolling the streets, he saw a subject drinking alcohol or coffee, he would kill the person on the spot with his mace.

I should mention, things are much more relaxed in modern-day Turkey with fines for smoking in prohibited areas or throwing cigarettes in the street!

[starlagurl]

Oh I thought that already happened. I guess maybe they were in the planning processes earlier this year.

What do you think of it? Do you agree?

[manzara]

Oh I thought that already happened. I guess maybe they were in the planning processes earlier this year.

What do you think of it? Do you agree?

Well, an interim ban came into effect last year which prohibited smoking in all government and public buildings etc. The full blown (sorry!) thing came into effect in July and covers all indoor bars, restaurants and coffee houses.

Yes, I agree with the ban but then I'm a non-smoker and Elaine is really allergic to cigarette smoke. When I'm in a restaurant my one or three glasses of red wine doesn't affect other diners. But the guy on the next table who finishes his/her meal then blows smoke in our direction is, in my opinion, extremely thoughless and rude. Why should I have cigarette ash all over my İmam Bayıldı?

It will be interesting to see how the ban is enforced in the colder, wetter, winter months, particularly in the tea houses.

[starlagurl]

Oh, that must've been the ban that I heard about last year.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the ban is enforced in winter! In Canada, there are all kinds of people shivering and smoking out on the sidewalks.... it's a nightmare for pedestrians...

[manzara]

In Canada, there are all kinds of people shivering and smoking out on the sidewalks.... it's a nightmare for pedestrians...

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Yes, same when we visit the UK, where people often look embarrassed smoking on the pavement (translation: 'sidewalk'!) outside bars, restaurants and offices, and now we're experiencing a similar situation here in Turkey.