Turks smoke less after ban

According to figures released by the Tobacco & Alcohol Market Regulation Board, the smoking ban in all indoor areas including cafes, bars and restaurants which came into effect in Turkey in July 2009 yielded favorable results.

5,392,945,420 packages of cigarettes had been sold and addicts smoked 107,858,908,399 cigarettes in Turkey in 2008.

5,377,748,810 packages were sold and addicts smoked 107,554,976,198 cigarettes in 2009, figures showed.

After Turkey launched a new phase of the smoking ban, extending the prohibition to all indoor areas including cafes, bars and restaurants on July 19, 2009, cigarette sales dropped.

/Hurriyet Daily News/