To smoke or not to......

[Macca]

I have never been a smoker, but my partner has and she will defend smokers rights and has always thought that the ban on smoking was taken too far.
My partner understands why a lot of smokers enjoy being in Turkey due to the lack of rules on smoking. That changed for her during our holiday in Icmeler this year.
Time and time again we were in restaurants etc, and before, during, and after meals people were lighting up next to us, behind us in front etc showing no consideration to the fact that people were eating and children were present.
On only one occasion did a couple on the adjacent table ask us was it ok to smoke, and then they did their best to ensure that they blew the smoke away from us.

On two seperate occasions we noticed a couple of guys going outside onto the pavement to smoke,if they can do it why not others? people know they can't smoke in the UK in restaurants but regard it acceptable to do it abroad.

My partner, as mentioned used to be a smoker, but would never smoke in a restaurant.
Before eveyone gets out the flamethrowers all I am pointing out is for people to have a bit of consideration to others around them when in restaurants. My partner would still defend a smokers right to smoke but not in restaurants or where children are present.
If you were the couple who asked us if it was ok to smoke, or went out onto the pavement then you have our thanks for you consideration to others

[stevew]

Hi Macci
I may be wrong but I think it is illegal to smoke in Restaurants in Turkey if you are inside or under the roof, outside,by that I mean within the boundary walls,not under cover you are fine.. But like all things turkey, the rules are brolen or bent.
Steve

[chezza100]

Its a shame some behave in such a way and forget their consideration for others when on holiday, even before the smoking ban here most people were considerate about when and where they smoked - from what I can remember

Pehaps its because many of the restuarants are open air and people consider it differently to a closed in place - just my guess.

I've never smoked but I'm not against people smoking, afterall its their choice but a bit of conisderation for others isn't too much to ask.

[Amelia12]

Hi,

This is always a tricky topic with both sides having a valid point of view. My son-in-law smokes but always goes outside if we are in a restaurant in Turkey. I personally feel that if there is something that could potentially affect your own health e.g. passive smoking then it should not be allowed in restaurants or bars. It is just a matter of being considerate to other people and especially children around you and its usually only a couple of steps to the outside. Then again I suppose as it is now banned inside in the UK its probably a nice change for a smoker so I can see their point too.

[toonarmybarmy]

Look at it the other way round. How about the non smokers having consideration for the smokers. For 50 weeks of the year, in the UK, non smokers have it all their own way. While smokers are treated as 2nd class citizens. So, for 2 weeks, let them enjoy themselves in peace

[blondie]

Difference is, smokers CHOOSE to smoke - non-smokers can hardly choose not to breathe!

[shelly]

I smoke !!!!! My choice, But i asked first and was sat on the outside. I have no problem with the no smoking indoors. But i will smoke outside .

[toonarmybarmy]

Sorry don't get the breathing thing. Passive smoking is about long time spent in smokey atmosphere. Not sitting next to someone in an area that is effectively open on 3 sides.
So, to the anti smoking Nazis. Turkey has always been the same. You cannot change it. Sit back and enjoy your holidays and let everyone else enjoy theirs in mutual harmony.

[Chocoholic]

It disgusts me when I read smokers say they have a right to smoke and moan about not being able to smoke in the UK so they should be able to smoke abroad. They have banned it in public places for a reason, it affects health and we do not all want to get a lungful of smoke from the air around us even for a few minutes, its not really even for a few minutes though as smokers tend to light up quite frequently when in a bar and drinking.I have asthma and if I get so much as a whiff of smoke it my lungs it can cause me serious problems with an asthma attack and have often been awake half the night wheezing because of smokers sat around me. And to smoke around children is very selfish. Even if sat outside it wafts around . I have even seen people sat right underneath a NO SMOKING sign smoking and the bars and restaurant staff do not do anything whilst these smokers are spending money. Yes, smokers do have the right to smoke but NOT if it affects other people and it cannot fail to affect someone sat in the surrounding area. I have often had to move tables several times due to the smoke, its very annoying and not so much as an apology from the smokers ever. Some of my family smoke but even before the smoking ban would not dream of lighting up in a cafe or restaurant, they would go outside even in the dead of Winter. Its courtesy and manners which seems in short supply nowadays.

[shelly]

Do you drive ?? Do you fly ? We smokers are not the answer . I never smoke around children !!! But 50 years ago we all did ! Open fires , And lets be honest is it the smoke from smokers , not the barbies , or the open fires or the cars. Lets add up cars too smokers are you doing your bit

See think we all should walk more and get fresh air