Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Waterpipe Venues: Egypt, Russia and Turkey

In 2008, Turkey passed a law banning smoking in all indoor public places, including bars, cafés, and restaurants. Compliance studies in 2012 and 2016 showed that secondhand smoke remained a serious burden for Turkey’s public health.

In 2008, India banned smoking in many public places and workplaces including healthcare settings, educational institutes, and government facilities. A provision in the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) permits Designated Smoking Rooms (DSRs) in hotels (having 30 or more rooms

In February 2015, the Turkish Ministry of Health released a circular, proposing a ban on the use of tobacco and tobacco products within at least five meters of the entrance to public buildings. We, therefore, assessed the compliance level of outdoor areas of venues in this study.

This fact sheet reports the opinions and perception of smoke-free laws and compliance in Turkey. Researchers surveyed school principals and hospitality owners and employees in seven cities, identifying opportunities for improving implementation.