Turkey is preparing a far-reaching reform of its tobacco control policy with a draft bill that aims to impose new restrictions on cigarette consumption, culminating in a total ban on tobacco by 2040, through a legislative proposal that provides for very severe fines for anyone who purchases, possesses or brings tobacco products or derivatives into the country.
According to the draft bill drawn up by the parliamentary group of the AKP party – the majority party in the Turkish parliament – in coordination with the Ministry of Health, and which will shortly be presented to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), smoking will only be permitted in specifically designated areas, both indoors and outdoors. The new anti-smoking law in Turkey will also ban smoking in places of worship, educational establishments at all levels, healthcare institutions and outdoor areas such as children’s playgrounds, sports facilities or beaches, as well as in open spaces not accessible to the public, according to the Turkish daily Hürriyet.
The legislative proposal also redefines the concept of a “tobacco product”. It will no longer be limited to traditional products, but will include “all products containing organic or synthetic nicotine, including hookahs, cigarettes, e-cigarettes (including those containing liquids and chemicals), heated tobacco and electronic delivery systems used to mimic tobacco products, even if they do not contain tobacco or nicotine”. Furthermore, controls on nicotine consumption are being tightened, with a ban on cash purchases and a requirement to register all products electronically. Minors will not be allowed access to areas where tobacco is consumed, and selling to minors will carry prison sentences of between 6 months and 1 year.
New restrictions in bars, restaurants, on beaches and at universities
The draft also tightens the rules in hospitals and universities, where smoking will not be permitted except in areas located at least 20 metres from the buildings. In bars, restaurants and other establishments covered by the law, the restriction on smoking in public spaces will be much stricter: in premises serving food or drink, smoking areas will only be permitted if they do not exceed 10% of the usable space, up to a maximum of 20 square metres, and must also be completely private and without food or drink service.
On beaches, smoking booths may be installed, with a minimum distance of 200 metres between them. Furthermore, smoking will be completely prohibited in spaces primarily intended for children, such as parks or nurseries, as well as on promenades and in areas for watching sporting events or outdoor activities. Local authorities will appoint specific enforcement teams to ensure compliance with the regulations.
The proposal also tightens the penalties for breaching the bans. Fines for smoking in Turkey will start at 5,000 Turkish liras and could reach 10 million Turkish liras (€191,000) for individuals and businesses, with progressively increasing penalties that may include the withdrawal of licences in serious or repeat cases. Smoking in prohibited areas will result in a fine for the smoker of 5,000 liras (€95).
Total ban on purchasing, possessing or importing tobacco by 2040
Finally, the plan proposed in the draft law comes to fruition on 1 January 2040: from this date, importing, producing, transporting or selling tobacco products will incur legal penalties of between 1 million and 5 million liras (between €19,000 and €95,000); and purchasing, possessing or bringing tobacco products into the country in one’s luggage will be punishable by administrative fines of between 50,000 and 250,000 liras (between €955 and €4,770), amounts which will increase progressively up to that date in line with inflation.
Over the last 20 years, Turkey has been imposing increasingly strict restrictions on the purchase and consumption of tobacco products and their derivatives, since the anti-smoking law passed in 2008 banned smoking in most public places, introducing smoking bans in enclosed spaces and very strict advertising restrictions, which has significantly reduced the health risks for passive smokers. Since then, new measures have increased health warnings for smokers and restricted the sale of tobacco.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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