Cigarettes in Turkey

Turkey, the land of cigarettes, pipes and hookahs, introduces smoking ban.

Anti tobacco law will be introduced in the country, where tobacco, cigarettes, pipes and hookahs are the life style attributes. According to the law, approved by the commission of legal procedures of Turkish parliament, smoking ban in public places all over the country will be introduced.

Squeezed between ancient habits and a great desire to conform to European standards, Turkish citizens take the new law as a revolution. Turkish people have always smoked a lot. People in Turkey smoke everywhere, in offices and hospitals, schools and taxi, in bars and cinemas. Even close to mosques the cigarettes smell is perceived. A lot of mustached men with cigarette may be met everywhere in his country.

However, the greater part of the population claimed that they are ready to give up to the ritual, following European laws, in order to enter European Union.

Turkey ranks fifth in world tobacco production and sixth in exports. Tobacco ranks sixth in terms of the total value of culture crops in Turkey.Turkey‘s tobacco exports generate US$ 500 million a year on average, or 2-3 per cent of its total export earnings. TEKEL (Turkish State Monopolies), which purchases the bulk of domestic tobacco output and also produces cigarettes, has a 3 per cent share of the GNP of Turkey at 1999 prices.

Cigarette production in Turkey started in the 19th century in small shops called atalye. The first cigarette factory was established in 1939, and produced hand-made non-filter cigarettes and packed tobaccos.

In 1983, Tekel started to import cigarettes with foreign brand names.

In 1984, the Turkish government allowed foreign tobacco companies to export their products to Turkey, while Tekel maintained the exclusive right to import, price and distribute domestic and foreign tobacco products. In 1991, other tobacco companies were allowed to price and distribute their own cigarettes in Turkey.

There are three basic types of cigarettes sold in Turkey: domestic filter cigarettes; domestic non-filter cigarettes; foreign brand cigarettes.

Turkish tobacco is the world's smoothest, most aromatic leaf. Blending it with more robust domestic tobaccos is the secret to Camel's distinctive flavor and world-class smoothness.A master-crafted blend of only the finest hand-picked Samsun & Izmir Turkish tobaccos with a robust domestic tobacco blend creates Camel's distinctive flavor and world-class smoothness.CAMEL cigarettes contain a blend of choice Turkish and American tobaccos to bring you full smoking satisfaction with CAMEL quality.The larger gauge of a Camel Wides cigarette makes for the smoothest, most flavorful way to enjoy Camel's distinctive blend of the finest Turkish and Domestic tobaccos.

The Turkish blend promotion does not refer to the fragrant dark tobacco cultivated in East Europe, particularly Turkey and Greece, but rather to the excellent Telestial promotion that works in each of these ancient lands. While we're on the subject of Turkish cigarette, let's take a closer look.

The finest Turkish tobacco is not actually grown in Turkey proper. It's the prized Yenice leaf developed in Macedonia in Greece. Mild Turkish tobacco is blended with stronger, fuller Virginia and Burley cigarettes to make a full-flavored, satisfying smoke.

Cigarette smoking is a passion among many Turks, a few of whom ignore the No Smoking signs in public buildings such as airports, railroad stations and theaters. For the most part, the people of Turkey forego cigars for the smooth flavor of a good Turkish cigarette.

Turkish cigarette is a geographical indication of cigarettes. Turkish tobacco is cultivated mostly in the Aegean and Black Sea regions of Turkey and throughout nations that were once a part of the Ottoman Empire, such as Greece and Bulgaria.

Turkish cigarettes have a much milder flavor and contain less nicotine and carcinogens than other varieties. In order to get the full flavor, it is mixed with more robust tobacco such as Virginia tobacco.