"There Are Rules About Fines!" Even Presidential Rebuke as Turkey's Anti-Smoking Crackdown Imposes 21.8 Billion Won in Penalties

Inspection of Nearly 1.35 Million Establishments Over Five Years
Fines Total 21.8 Billion Won
Smoking Rate Among Those Aged 15 and Older at 30.8%
Nearly Double that of Korea

Despite being known for its relatively tolerant attitude toward smoking—so much so that it has been called a "paradise for smokers"—Turkey is now tightening its anti-smoking enforcement.

A street cafe in Turkey. An ashtray is placed on each table. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

According to a report by Yonhap News on July 21 citing Anadolu Agency, the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate inspected a total of 1,349,147 businesses—including restaurants, cafes, and bars—over approximately five years from 2022 to the first half of this year to check compliance with indoor smoking regulations.

As a result of the inspections, a total of 2,597 businesses that allowed indoor smoking were fined a combined 695 million lira (about 21.8 billion won). Among these, 681 businesses faced temporary business suspensions.

The number of businesses caught violating the regulations is steadily increasing, from 3,210 in 2022 to 3,026 in 2023, 4,950 in 2024, and 8,305 in 2025. In just the first five months of this year, 6,479 businesses were found in violation.

According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October of last year, Turkey’s smoking rate among people aged 15 and older is 30.8 percent, nearly double South Korea’s rate of 17.6 percent. The rate among men is especially high, at 42.1 percent.

Since 2009, Turkey has banned smoking in indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, and bars, and has also imposed fines for the improper disposal of cigarette butts. However, in practice, smoking is still often permitted in restaurants and cafes.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has held long-term power in Turkey, is known to personally dislike smoking and frequently encourages those around him to quit.

Previously, in 2014, President Erdogan made headlines when he publicly scolded a group of young people for smoking on a cafe balcony while walking through a shopping district in Istanbul, telling them, "There are rules about fines," and calling one of them a "rude boy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.