Health Life Contribution Fund to be established with revenue from tobacco products

According to the 25-article draft legislation prepared by the Ministry of Health, it is planned to establish the Health Life Contribution Fund with contributions to be provided from tobacco products and to obtain an annual financing of approximately 110 billion liras.

Details of the legislative proposal and the parliamentary process

The comprehensive regulatory package prepared by the Ministry of Health introduces new rules regarding the use and sales of tobacco products while also aiming to provide financing for healthy living policies.

The legislative proposal consisting of twenty-five articles is anticipated to be submitted to Parliament in October or November after the work to be carried out within the AK Party group.

Health Life Contribution Fund and budget expectations

The draft text envisages the establishment of a new fund with public legal entity status within the Ministry of Health. It is expected to provide an annual resource of approximately 110 billion liras from cigarettes alone, and 50 billion liras from tobacco and high-sugar products.

It is foreseen to collect a contribution of 20 liras per pack from packaged tobacco and 100 liras per kilogram from unpackaged tobacco. It is stated that the annual cigarette consumption in Turkey is at the level of 5.5 billion packs.

Areas of use of the fund and board of directors

The fund resources will be spent to support school nutrition, childhood obesity, dental health, healthy living projects, sports investments, and smoking cessation clinics.

The fund will be managed by a seven-person board consisting of the deputy ministers of the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Forestry, Youth and Sports, Treasury and Finance, Trade, Family and Social Services, and National Education.