Parliament in Turkey has voted to introduce a blanket ban on smoking in enclosed public places.Banning smoking was until recently completely unthinkable in Turkey, where 40% of the adult population - 25 million people - are smokers.
But such bans are now common in Europe. Health campaigners say one in five deaths in Turkey - a major tobacco producer - is tobacco-related.
Opponents say Turkey's existing partial bans on smoking are widely flouted.
The new ban will outlaw smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars, cafes and restaurants as well as taxis, trains and outdoor stadiums. It is due to come into force in about 18 months' time.
There have been many warnings that implementing it will prove a nightmare.
Some argue that existing bans on smoking in hospitals, schools and other public buildings are already widely flouted.
They also question how the newly-legislated fines - 50 Turkish lira (£22; $44) for those lighting up and 5,000 lira for bar and cafe owners who allow smoking on their premises - will be imposed.
Many smokers too are outraged by what they see as an infringement of their civil liberties, and are warning that they will ignore the new law.
Source: BBC NEWS
More: HERE
