Turkey is known as one of the smokiest countries in Europe -- to "smoke like a Turk" is a common idiom -- but a new law has extended a ban on public smoking to most indoor places, the Associated Press reported May 20.

Smoking is now banned in taxis, ferries and shopping malls as well as in outdoor sports stadiums; next year, the ban will also encompass bars, restaurants, and coffeehouses. Previously, the ban applied only to larger offices, buses, and airplanes.

The Turkish government said the ban is designed to cut smoking and prevent harm from secondhand smoked; about 40 percent of Turks over age 15 smoke.

Ban violators face fines of about $40.