Turkey to mandate ID verification for cigarette sales

Turkey's Ministry of Health is preparing a comprehensive legislative package to combat tobacco use, which is linked to nearly 60% of deaths in the country. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that a new law will be submitted to the Grand National Assembly within weeks.

A central feature of the proposal is the mandatory presentation of Turkish Republic ID numbers during cigarette purchases to verify age and prevent sales to minors. The regulation also aims to reduce the visibility of smoking in daily life by implementing stricter controls in public spaces, including parks, gardens, schools, and near hospitals.

In the hospitality sector, the law seeks to clarify rules for cafes and restaurants. This includes establishing distinct, standardized areas for smokers and non-smokers and potentially restricting food and beverage services in designated smoking sections. The ministry also plans to address the issue of outdoor areas being converted into de facto indoor spaces through the use of heaters and retractable awnings.

Additionally, the proposed health package may include a fund generated from levies on tobacco products—suggested at 20 lira per pack—to support smoking cessation services, childhood obesity prevention, and early diagnosis programs for diseases like lung cancer and COPD.