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Turkey tobacco and health policy developments

Updated 18 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-25 06:44 UTC → 2026-10-25 14:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Turkish Ministry of Health is advancing a legislative package to combat rising smoking rates and protect minors. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu has noted that tobacco-related illnesses are linked to nearly 60% of deaths in the country. To address this, the Ministry and the AK Party are developing an Electronic Age Verification System (EYDS) to replace manual checks with dynamic QR codes. ~~Recent~~ New legislative ~~updates include a proposal~~ drafts specify that the EYDS will allow customers to ~~mandate~~ generate a dynamic QR code via official mobile applications or e-Devlet integration. When scanned by a retailer, the ~~presentation of~~ system will verify if the individual is over 18 without disclosing personal data such as names, full birth dates, or Turkish ~~Republic~~ ID numbers ~~during cigarette purchases~~ to ~~verify age. While~~ the ~~Ministry~~ seller. This digital confirmation is ~~evaluating electronic options~~ intended to protect ~~personal data, the requirement has faced criticism. Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral raised concerns regarding personal privacy,~~ consumer privacy and ~~the Turkish Grocers~~ prevent identity fraud. The government aims to implement this system within one year, covering both physical retail locations and ~~Dealers Federation warned~~ online sales, in response to data showing that approximately 73.3% of ~~potential tension between shopkeepers and customers. New~~ youths aged 13-15 can currently purchase tobacco from local markets. Recent data highlights a “dramatic problem” with youth tobacco use: approximately 30% of the 7.5 million people aged 13 to 17 in Turkey are smokers, ~~with~~ totaling 2.5 million individuals. In 2025, 8.5 billion packs were sold ~~nationwide in 2025.~~ nationwide, with annual spending reaching $15 billion. The Ministry also aims to redefine “closed areas” for hospitality businesses, establishing standardized smoking sections in outdoor areas and increasing inspections and fines for violations. ~~Proposed funding for smoking cessation, obesity prevention, and lung cancer diagnosis may be generated through levies on tobacco products, suggested at 20 lira per pack.~~ Beyond tobacco, Minister Memişoğlu identified obesity, drugs, behavioral addictions, and low fertility rates as the nation’s primary health challenges.

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