AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF ROLLING TOBACCO BAN IN TURKEY; TOBACCONISTS COMPLY WITH LEGISTLATION

The aim of this study is to determine whether tobacco shops in Manisa, Turkey comply with the Rolled Tobacco Ban that went into effect in 2021. In the study, tobacco shops (n=17) with sales licenses and selling hookahs, macarons, tobacco, filters, pipes, etc. in Yunusemre district of Manisa in September 2023 were observed and evaluated in terms of compliance with the Rolled Tobacco Ban. As a result of the evaluation, illegal activities were observed in 13 (76%) tobacco shops. The remaining 4 (24%) tobacco shops were found to be in compliance with the law. As a result of the study, it was understood that if the sales staff in tobacco shops trust the customers and know their customers, illegal sales activities can be observed inside or outside the tobacco shops. In this study, it was observed that only 4 tobacco shops did not sell filled rolled tobacco. Therefore, it was concluded that stricter rules and penalties should be applied by lawmakers for those who do not comply with the rolled and filled tobacco ban.