One year after smoking in public places was officially prohibited, the largest city, Istanbul, is reporting a 20% drop in the number of patients admitted to hospitals for smoking-related illnesses.
The ban, which has a 90% approval rating among the Turkish people also resulted in a 30% reduction in heart attacks.

Istanbul’s Health Department Director, Dr. Ali Ihsan Dokucu, noted that these life-sparing benefits also saved nearly US$2 million in medical costs.

A big bravo, Turkey, for your smoke-free initiative that has already shown such constructive results! May your exemplary and rewarding health trend continue to benefit the gracious Turkish people and inspire many other nations across the globe.

http://www.southkoreanews.net/story/660742
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=let8217s-change-our-perception-to-8220quitting-smoking-like-a-
turk8221-2010-07-08