"Cigarette Revolution" Hits Bars, Restaurants as Government Dismisses Critics Wary of Economic Impact
Turkey - a nation of smokers - on Sunday extended a ban on indoor public smoking to bars, restaurants, and even to traditionally smoke-filled village coffeehouses.
The ban came into effect despite protests from bar and coffeehouse owners who fear it will ruin businesses that have already been hit hard by the economic crisis.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-oriented government barred smoking in offices, public transport and other public places in May 2008 in an effort to reduce the country's high smoking rates and the effects of secondhand smoke on people's health. Bars, restaurants and cafes were given a grace period that ended at midnight Saturday.
