Turkey: Opposition politician requests ban

[Oliver]

From Turkey financial news:

DTP calls for ban on e-cigarettes
Democratic Society Party (DTP) ??rnak deputy Hasip Kaplan, meanwhile, called on Parliament to ban the usage of electronic cigarettes, asserting they are no less harmful than normal cigarettes as marketed.

An electronic cigarette, made from microelectronic and supercritical atomizing technologies, takes the form of a tiny rod which is slightly longer than a normal cigarette. The mouthpiece of the device contains a replaceable cartridge filled with liquid. The main substances contained in the liquid are nicotine and propylene glycol.

“Under the law, smoking is prohibited in schools and hospitals, but such a prohibition is not valid for electronic cigarettes. Imagine a person who walks along the corridors of a school with an e-cigarette in his hand. Why do we deceive ourselves? It is claimed that e-cigarettes increase the risk of addiction because of their high levels of nicotine. We need to ban the usage of such devices,” he noted.

I think it is fair to say that this chap is being rather naive and reactionary. Bear in mind that Turkey is currently reviewing massive anti-smoking legislation.

I'd have thought that in a country where 120,000 people die annually from smoking, e-cigarettes should be promoted, non?

 

[woody]

I doubt that they are being naive if they allow other forms of NRT produced by poweful drug companies who have a lot of influence. I imagine having e-smoking products selling in pharmacies reduced sales of NRT. What do you think?

 

[jamie]

Market for products to quit smoking growing in Turkey

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The smoking ban in enclosed areas is expected to result in a 20 percent growth in the market for products that aid in kicking the habit... demand for various methods to quit smoking such as therapies and acupuncture as well as different products such as nicotine patches, nicotine chewing gum, nicotine fruit juices, and lozenges has increased. Experts say new products with different ingredients will soon be on the market, as new forms of therapies will also be created... increase in the number of firms seeking counseling and assistance for their employees... director of “I quit smoking”, a private company that specializes in helping people quit smoking.

... other prominent aid centers to help quit smoking in Turkey, have intensified their psychological therapies for heavy smokers since the ban was put into practice.

... drastic increase in the demand for Nicofluid, a special type of nicotine juice containing eggplant essence. Demand for this French product... increased 15 percent following the implementation of the smoking ban... Tuvana, a private company distributing Nicofluid in Turkey.

Istanbul's streets covered with 1,500 billboards... “We do not have an upper limit for the budget,”... “We support the movement for smoke-free air,” where billboards displaying photos of political party leaders have been hung on the streets of big cities.

... the average cost paid by a heavy smoker for services and products that help kick the habit is equal to the price of cigarettes consumed within six months... [or 5 times] if a heavy smoker chooses to receive professional help at a therapy center.