The law titled “Supervision to Protect against the Hazards of Tobacco Products” was passed in the year 2008, reference 44/2008, within the TRNC. With certain exceptions, smoking within closed areas had been prohibited (closed areas of restaurants, cafés, buffets, coffee houses, pastry shops and similar mass consumption places, as well as casinos, discos, night clubs and bars whether alcoholic drinks are sold or not). The passing of this law was suspended until 1 January 2010.
This law is now in effect meaning that as of 1 January 2010 the use of tobacco products and providing restricted smoking areas for this purpose are prohibited within the closed areas of educational and health institutions, restaurants, cafés, buffets, coffee houses, pastry shops and similar mass consumption places within the TRNC.
This Law places various sanctions against those who violate it. According to this law, persons who are troubled by the use of tobacco products have the right to warn the user(s) and have the authority to request the people in charge of the related place to warn the user(s).
After the given warning, if the person insists on using the tobacco product(s), an official complaint about her/him can be submitted to the related Ministry or the supervisor by the authorized officer(s) of the place. Supervisions will be conducted by the Director of the Basic Health Services Department. The Basic Health Services Department will work in co-operation with the Tax Office to impose the appropriate fines.