'Smoking Ban' law fails the test: Bans are being openly violated

SMOKE-FREE YOUTH INITIATIVE VISITED, OBSERVED, AND DOCUMENTED: CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO BANS ARE BEING OPENLY VIOLATED

The Smoke-Free Youth Initiative is a non-governmental group that supports the fight against cigarettes and tobacco products. They advocate for the law enacted by the government and currently in force, and they want it to be implemented fully. These young people have demonstrated with data and evidence that the law, which has served as an example to many countries around the world, is not finding a response in the field, and they have reported the violations in the field to the relevant state institutions one by one, point by point. 

According to the research conducted by the volunteer youth, alarm bells are ringing regarding smoking bans, which are among the issues the AKP government boasts about the most. 

In the study, 78 retail points of sale for cigarettes and tobacco products located around 26 schools in the high-population-density provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Lüleburgaz, Adana, and Kocaeli were examined... 

Although the law states that "they cannot be sold in a way that is visible from outside the business," in 60.5% of the businesses examined, cigarettes and tobacco products were being sold alongside toys and candies that mostly appeal to children. In 93.6% of the points of sale, cigarettes and traditional tobacco were clearly visible and directly accessible to persons under the age of 18. 

During the research and monitoring study, it was determined that tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs, whose import and sale have been banned by a Presidential decree, are being offered for sale in a very widespread and accessible manner at cigarette points of sale, tobacco shops, and even in some markets. It was even determined that some stores openly offer illegal products such as heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes for sale. The youth proved that electronic cigarettes can be purchased online without being asked for age verification. 

Within the scope of the study, monitoring and controlled purchasing studies were also conducted regarding the accessibility of new-generation products such as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches at 50 retail points of sale in Istanbul and 52 points of sale in 4 provinces, namely Niğde, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, and Mardin. 

Although their import and sale are prohibited, it was determined that electronic cigarettes were sold in 92% and heated tobacco products in 60% of the points of sale examined in Istanbul. In addition, it was determined that nicotine pouches were also on sale at some points of sale. 

The results of the research showed that existing inspection and complaint mechanisms are insufficient to prevent under-the-counter sales, the illegal trade of new-generation tobacco products, and open violations in border regions. 

In the conclusion section of the research, it was recommended that implementation, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms be strengthened in the application of laws regarding smoking and tobacco bans. In this context, it was suggested that legislation be strengthened, the legal framework be made clearer and more deterrent, inspections be increased, especially at points of sale, that cigarette and tobacco product points of sale be at least 200 meters away from educational institutions, and that relevant laws be updated to cover electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. 

News: İbrahim Gündüz