Turkey plans ID checks for cigarette purchases to curb smoking
Turkey's Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said the government is considering mandatory ID verification for cigarette sales to prevent under-age purchases.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu highlighted that tobacco use is linked to roughly 60 % of all deaths in Turkey, which ranks second globally for smoking prevalence. He revealed that 8 billion packs were sold last year, generating between $20 billion and $30 billion in revenue. To curb youth access, the government is weighing a rule that would obligate purchasers to present a Turkish ID number, creating a record of each sale.
Restrictions would focus on areas such as schools, outdoor sports facilities and indoor venues, while unclear regulations for cafés and restaurants would be tightened. Memişoğlu expressed hope that people will quit voluntarily rather than through outright bans.
Why it matters
The plan could significantly reduce youth smoking and public health costs in Turkey.
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