Turkey takes a breath of fresh air in enclosed spaces
Posted by meb at May 20th, 2008
Most Turks passed the initial test as a new law that imposes strict restrictions on places where people can smoke came into force yesterday.
On the first day that the law was in effect, also a national holiday, many people flooded into shopping malls throughout Istanbul. Shoppers and sellers alike were forced to take their smoking outside, and the initial impression is that most complied, if somewhat grudgingly. Most of those who were smoking outside in the searing heat noted that they would rather smoke in an air-conditioned smokers’ room.
Local shopkeepers meanwhile are worried that the new law will hit their businesses hard.
Because it was a national holiday, all businesses and schools were closed yesterday. Those who do not smoke and wanted to spend time at the mall appreciated the fresh air in buildings now free from the smell of cigarette smoke. However, some believe this is just a first-day response and lax checks will allow smoking to creep back indoors.
“I don’t believe that the law will be implemented and controlled, but everyone should comply with it of their own free will,” said Onur Karakuş, a customer smoking outside the Metro City Shopping Mall in Istanbul’s Levent district. He said he chose to smoke outside without the need for a warning from officials.
The ban will be implemented in restaurants, cafes and bars after July 19, 2009. However, it came into effect in restaurants and cafes inside shopping malls yesterday. Owners of those restaurants are worried about losing their customers. “Around 15 percent of our area used to be reserved for non-smokers and even then those designated areas were not filled. Now, we are entirely smoke-free, which means we will never be able attract as many customers again,” said Tolga Yazıcı, manager of the City Brasserie restaurant in Metro City.
Shopkeepers in malls say people are aware of the ban and are not causing any problems. “The campaigns and television have been discussing the ban for a long time, so everyone has heard about it,” said Selim Yetkin, manager of the Özsüt patisserie in Metro City. He said the restaurant did not have any problem with their customers as they were willing to respect the law.
Employees, on the other hand, were unhappy with the ban. Most said there should be a special smoking room inside business and entertainment places at the very least. “Smoking outside is not a big problem at the moment since the summer is coming, but what will we do in the winter?” asked Emel Özçilingir, a salesperson at the Cevahir Shopping Mall and Entertainment Center in Istanbul’s Mecidiyeköy district. Many customers agree with Özçilingir. “I do not smoke,” said Dina Selahiye, a customer at Cevahir, but added that “those who smoke need a room inside buildings, otherwise they may suffer from a lack of nicotine.”
Although some people believe that the ban will not be implemented unless authorities enforce very strict controls, others believe that people should supervise the compliance of others. Yetkin said he would report any person who smokes in his restaurant but added, “I think no restaurant owner in Turkey will complain about customers who smoke. It means losing their customers and that is not realistic.”
Social control is the most effective measure, according to businessmen. “Those who comply with the law and do not smoke in the restricted areas will prevent others from doing so. Nobody wants to be part of a double standard,” said Hasan Tuncer a restaurant manager in Cevahir.
source: Turkish Daily News
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