Turkey proposes strict new tobacco control law for October

A new tobacco control law proposal is expected to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in October. The legislation aims to significantly reduce tobacco consumption and eventually end the production and sale of tobacco products in the country by 2040.

Key provisions of the draft include a lifetime ban on the sale and use of tobacco products for individuals born on or after January 1, 2015. To prevent underage access, the proposal mandates identity and credit card verification at points of sale. Additionally, the regulation seeks to remove slim cigarettes from the market and implement standardized single-type packaging.

The draft also introduces stricter rules for smoking in public spaces. Smoking will be prohibited in the outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes, while parks, gardens, and public building grounds will require designated, non-visible areas for smokers to mitigate passive smoking.

Experts note that these measures are critical due to rising smoking rates among women and youth. Research indicates that smoking rates among women have increased by 40-50% over the last 15 years, with rates exceeding 90% in the 15-24 age group. Public support for the proposed measures is reportedly high, with approximately 90% of citizens surveyed by Yeşilay expressing support.