Change the name for youth's sake

The homeland of the famous Sigara Boregi (literal translation: Cigarette Roll pastry),Turkish city of Sakarya is determined to change the name of the traditional Turkish pastry in order to discourage smoking.

The issue is being discussed at the Council of Chairmen meeting of the Sakarya Union of Tradesmen and Artisans' Chambers (SESOB). Sakarya Restaurants Chamber Chairman Erdal Kurtuldu supports changing what is truly a household name in Turkey, saying: "We felt uncomfortable associating smoking with a food we love. It is time to think about changing the name." A new name for the popular pastry will be chosen by SESOB from suggestions posted by the public on the association's website.

Subliminal encouragement of Children and Young people into smoking is behind changing the name of the traditional pastry. "We tell our children we are making ‘cigarette pastries.' And they love to eat these pastries. At some point, our children begin to ask, ‘What is a cigarette?' They become curious about smoking, and think, ‘I like cigarette pastries, maybe cigarettes are also like this.' There used to be cigarette candies and gum, which also encouraged smoking. To always be reminded of cigarettes is not a pleasant thing," Dr. Pinar Pazarli, the manager of Sakarya University's Medical-Social Center and vice chairman of the university's Tobacco Coordination Committee said.

Whether it sounds funny or not, the name of this traditional delicacy has been a sensitive subject especially after The Turkish government has tightened up its anti-smoking policies in recent years in an effort to discourage smoking.

Earlier in 2011 cigarette vendors were instructed by the Turkish Ministry of Health to place cigarette packs inside closed cabinets and out of sight. The Ministry of Health also recently decided that cigarette packs will no longer be distinguishable by brand. Cigarettes will be sold in “black packs” with only an identifying number visible.

Australia has adopted a similar policy which will be implemented next July. Turkey will be the first country in Europe to implement such a regulation.

According to the Ankara governor's office, law enforcement agencies have issued a total of TL 2,140,272 ($1,187,297.89 AUD) in fines in Ankara alone in the first nine months of 2011 to smokers.