Thu 06 July 2023:
In a recent announcement, the Istanbul Governorate has issued a temporary ban on smoking shishas in public spaces across the city. The move comes as a precautionary measure to mitigate the risks of forest fires and other potential hazards.
Governor Davüt Gul took to his social media account to convey the new regulation, stating: “Smoking shishas will be strictly prohibited in various locations, including beaches, forests, recreational areas and parks throughout Istanbul.
However, it is important to note that licensed shisha lounges operating outside these designated areas will not be affected by this ban.”
İstanbul’da; plajlar,sahiller,ormanlar,mesire alanları ve parklarda nargile içilmesi yasaklanmıştır.
Buraların dışındaki ruhsatlı nargile salonlarıyla ilgili bir kısıtlamaya gidilmemiştir.
— Davut GÜL (@gul_davut) July 5, 2023
The decision to implement this ban aims to safeguard the city’s natural landscapes and prevent devastating forest fires.
By curbing hookah smoking in areas such as beaches and forests, the governorate seeks to prevent the emergence of negative environmental impacts and maintain the serenity of public spaces, including picnic areas, parks and recreation zones.
Hookah smoking is very popular, especially among young people and foreigners in Istanbul, which has many hookah cafes and restaurants.
In recent years, shisha smoking in public areas has often been heavily associated in Turkey with Syrian refugees.
Although the governor – a government-appointed official – did not specify the reason for the new measures, a number of Twitter users interpreted the new restrictions as specifically addressing this phenomenon.
“Syrians will be upset,” tweeted one user, along with a smiling face emoji, while another tweeted “We support restrictions bearing the traces of Arab culture.”
A number called for additional measures, including banning Arabic script on signs. One said that shisha should also be banned in licensed premises, adding they were “sick of seeing the Syrian Bedouins who harassed girls, the women who belly dance, and the shisha bubbling”.
Turkish attitudes towards Syrians, who number just over 3.7 million in the country, have become increasingly hostile in recent years.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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