Turkey started the next stage of a smoking ban on July 19, 2009 by extending the
ban to cafes, bars and restaurants as it aims to limit smoking in a country where 22 million
people, half the male population, smoke.
Smokers in Cyprus will also be hit finally when one of the last EU smoking havens
(避难所) carries out a ban on smoking in public places. From January 1, 2011, smoking
was banned in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and workplaces, and heavy fines were put
in place.
Ireland carried out a nationwide ban on smoking in workplaces in 2004. US states,
including Florida andCalifornia, have had similar bans since 2003. In November 2004,
Bhutan became the first country to ban tobacco sales entirely.
Here are details on some other countries that have banned smoking since 2008:
●July 2008:
Germany: A ban on smoking in bars in Germany's 16 federal states was challenged
in court in July 2008. Most states are now adopting the guidelines established by the
court. Roughly 29% of more than 81 million Germans smoke.
●October 2008:
India: It banned smoking in public places on October 2 in an attempt to fight tobacco
use. The ban, which includes all offices and restaurants, will hit its estimated 240 million
tobacco users.
●January 2009:
Indonesia: Some cities in Indonesia have banned smoking in public, but rules are
ignored sometimes.
●May 2009:
Croatia: Law banning smoking in all public places came into effect on May 6 to the
displeasure of one million smokers.
Bulgaria: Lawmakers voted May 15 to ban smoking in public spaces from June 2010,
ignoring protests (抗议) from tobacco producers and the tourist industry. Smoking is
already banned in hospitals, taxis and offices.
●July 2009 :
Greece bans smoking in indoor public places from July 1.