Reluctant Turks prepare for smoking ban
For decades the tobacco haze filling Turkey's bars, restaurants and workplaces has been as much a feature of the country's cultural landscape as the stunning architecture of its mosques and historical buildings. But now Turkey's image as a land of hardened smokers appears doomed to obsolescence as it prepares to follow the international fashion for blanket public smoking bans. A prohibition on smoking with effect from Monday is certain to be a profound culture shock for millions of Turks used to lighting up with impunity regardless of the setting.