Health Minister Memişoğlu Announces ID Requirement for Cigarette Sales

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced that within the scope of the fight against tobacco and tobacco products, they will introduce a mandatory ID presentation for cigarette sales, increase inspections, and submit the new regulation to Parliament within a few weeks.

New Measures in the Fight Against Tobacco

Stating that they are determined in the fight against tobacco and tobacco products, Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced that they will make ID presentation mandatory for cigarette sales and increase inspections.

He stated that Turkey has achieved significant success in the fight against tobacco in the past, but an increase in cigarette usage rates has been observed in the recent period.

Upward Trend Among Youth and Women

Memişoğlu emphasized that tobacco products are the root cause of diseases responsible for nearly 60 percent of deaths.

He noted that smoking rates among youth and women have entered an upward trend, and Turkey ranks second in the world in smoking rates.

Regulation to be Submitted to Parliament

He stated that they will introduce the obligation to present an ID or Turkish ID card in order to verify the age limit in cigarette sales.

He officially announced that the new legal regulation will be submitted to Parliament within a few weeks.