Istanbul Imposes Nearly $700 Million in Fines for Indoor Smoking Ban Violations Over 5 Years

In Istanbul, a total of 694 million 666 thousand 994 lira in administrative fines have been imposed on businesses over the past 5 years for violating the indoor smoking ban. In Turkey, with the amendments made to the 'Law on the Prevention and Control of the Harms of Tobacco Products' in 2008, the consumption of tobacco products was banned in all enclosed public areas. With the expansion of the scope of the relevant law, the consumption of tobacco products was also banned in establishments such as restaurants, coffeehouses, cafes, and bars owned by private individuals, starting from July 19, 2009. Within this scope, a smoking ban was introduced in all enclosed areas, with the exception of residential homes. As part of the indoor smoking ban, 1 million 349 thousand 147 businesses were inspected by teams over 5 years, and 694 million 666 thousand 994 lira in fines were imposed on 25 thousand 970 businesses that were found to have allowed tobacco use in enclosed areas. In this context, inspections were carried out in 218 thousand 157 businesses in 2022, 379 thousand 826 in 2023, 308 thousand 567 in 2024, and 332 thousand 192 in 2025, while 110 thousand 405 inspections were conducted in the first 6 months of this year. The number of businesses that did not comply with the ban was recorded as 3 thousand 210, 3 thousand 26, 4 thousand 950, 8 thousand 305, and 6 thousand 479, respectively, over the years.