Turkish parliament to debate expanding smoking ban to bars and restaurants

Men playing backgammon and puffing on cigarettes and hookahs in smoke-filled village coffeehouses could soon become a hazy memory of Turkey's past.

Smoking is already barred on buses and airplanes and in larger offices. But on Wednesday, parliament was to debate a proposal to expand the smoking ban to all enclosed public areas, making it illegal for this tobacco-growing nation of smokers to light up in bars, restaurants and in coffeehouses. A vote could be held later Wednesday.

The draft bill, which is backed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted governing party, would also widen the ban to some open-air locations such as stadiums, sports …