Turkey's diehard smokers vow to defy ban

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish smokers are vowing to defy a banin bars and restaurants that will take effect next year, whileanti-smoking campaigners accuse global cigarette companies oftargeting the country as a key market.

Turkey is the eighth-biggest cigarette market in the world,where nearly 60 percent of male adults are estimated to smoke.Six global cigarette producers and state-run Tekel compete fora share of it.

The World Health Organisation says 80 percent oftobacco-related deaths will occur within a few decades indeveloping countries like Turkey, as consumption levels off oreven falls in mature world markets. China alone accounts forone third of total cigarette consumption.

Anti-smoking campaigners hope Turkey's tobacco consumptionwill fall by at least 10 percent as a ban in public buildingsis due to begin in May, and a wider ban including bars andrestaurants takes effect in mid-2009.

The government hopes to change European Union candidateTurkey's image as a haven for smokers. "Smoking like a Turk" isa popular phrase used for heavy smokers in some Westerncountries.

A number of European countries including Italy, Britain andIreland have outlawed smoking in public places.

Anyone lighting up inside a public place in Turkey will befined 57 lira (24 pounds), but businesses say implementation ofthe ban will be very difficult despite the fines.

"Pulling down the shutters is the only way to stop smokinghere. Every one of our customers smokes," said Cengiz Erdogan,who runs a restaurant in Ankara, as he nods at the ceilingwhich has turned grey due to heavy smoke.

Despite the threat of a 5,000 lira fine on businesses whichallow smoking, bars will be reluctant to stop smokers becausethey are fearful of losing more customers: the growingconservative middle-class is already increasingly shunningplaces where alcohol is served.

Islam prohibits alcoholic beverages and frowns on smoking.

Given that Turks' national drink, raki, is usually servedwith a second glass for water, Erdogan argued it will beparticularly tricky for Turks to smoke outside as the lawdictates: "You cannot go out with two glasses in one hand and acigarette in another. This will interrupt conversations andspoil your night," he said.

GUINEA PIGS

Despite campaigns by anti-smoking groups, cigaretteconsumption in Turkey is rising by between a 1-1.5 percent ayear, compared with four percent in China.

Anti-smoking groups say international cigarette companiesin the past picked the Middle East as a key market anddistributed free cigarettes to promote them. They say the banwill be the only way to prevent cigarettes' disastrous effectson society.

"The cigarette's impact on Turkey is worse than terror.Every year, 117,000 people die due to cigarettes and we lose$2.5 billion (1.3 billion pounds) every year due to diseasescaused by smoking," said Semsettin Toprak from the TurkishTemperance Society.

He blamed cigarette-makers for testing their products inTurkey, saying Philip Morris was introducing higher-nicotine,shorter cigarettes in Turkey for the first time to adapt toupcoming restrictions.

"My people are used as guinea pigs. America and Europe sawthe dangers and the cigarette companies have turned todeveloping countries like us," Toprak said.

Philip Morris International said its Marlboro Intensecigarettes, introduced in Turkey in November, comply with allapplicable regulations.

"The tar and nicotine levels of Marlboro Intensecigarettes, as measured in accordance with Turkish regulations,are below the government prescribed ceilings for tar, nicotineand carbon monoxide in Turkey," company spokesman Richard Jamessaid.

He added many Philips Morris brands and Marlboro variantsnot sold in Turkey are available in other countries.

Many smokers are well aware of the anti-smokingcampaigners' warnings and consequences of their habit for theirhealth. But some are keen to keep smoking as long as they can.

Mustafa Ozkoc, a construction worker, said he startedsmoking at 13 and is still smoking three packs a day at 49.

"If the government wants to implement this ban, it has toclose the cigarette factories. Even then I will make my owncigarettes and continue smoking," Ozkoc said in a tea housefilled with mostly jobless or retired men.

The damaging health impact is not a concern for many.

"Everything we owned has been taken from our hands. This isthe only joy I am left with," Ozkoc says, showing hiscigarette. Another man sitting next to him says he will neversmoke outside as the law dictates and will not pay the fineeither.

"I have no money to pay fines. Will they take my soul?"

(Editing by Charles Dick)