THE TURKISH Health Ministry plans to step up its fight against smoking with new measures addressing the decreasing population of smokers in Turkey.

Smoking will be banned in public parks and gardens and other public places, but specific areas will be designated exclusively for smokers.

The new measures are part of an anti-smoking campaign touting “Airspace without smoke,” which was lauded by anti-tobacco groups and international community.

Expected to be implemented this year, the new bans will prohibit smoking in public zones, in front of shopping malls, in the courtyards of mosques as well as other places of worship and promenades. Spaces will be designated in those places for smokers.

Health Ministry will also crack down on violations of the smoking ban in enclosed spaces of restaurants, cafes and eateries, especially in winter.

More inspections are being mulled to curb violations, and new regulations will be enacted to define the authorities issuing the fines, a point of contention by smokers, especially in private businesses.

The ministry will also further restrain spaces allocated for smokers. Businesses will be required to separate tables for smokers and non-smokers, so as to prevent secondhand smoke.