New Draft Regulation from the Ministry of Health for the Healthy Life Contribution Fund
The Ministry of Health has prepared a new 25-article draft law that envisions fund deductions from tobacco products, sugary beverages, and unhealthy snacks.
The draft for the Healthy Life Contribution Fund, prepared by the Ministry of Health and aimed at financing public health projects through deductions from unhealthy products, has been made public.
Preparation of the Healthy Life Contribution Fund
The Ministry of Health is continuing its preparatory work for a new regulation aimed at creating a budget by making deductions from tobacco and sugary products.
Fund Amounts to be Collected from Tobacco Products
According to the drafted text, it is planned to deduct a fund amount of 20 liras from each cigarette pack and 100 liras per kilogram from loose tobacco.
Annual Tobacco Consumption and Resource Calculation
Considering that an annual average of 5.5 billion packs of cigarettes are consumed across Turkey, it is calculated that approximately 110 billion liras will be transferred to the fund every year from the tobacco item alone.
Regulation on Sugary Beverages and Chips
While deductions of up to 5 liras per 100 milliliters will be applied to sugary beverages depending on their sugar content, it is envisaged that a 20 percent fund will be collected from snacks such as chips.
Areas Where the Collected Fund Will Be Used
The resources to be accumulated in the fund are aimed to be used in school nutrition programs, the fight against obesity, dental health screenings, sports investments, and the treatment of tobacco-related diseases.
Parliamentary Process and Expected Schedule
Following the technical review studies to be carried out within the AK Party group, the 25-article bill is expected to be brought to the agenda of the Parliament in October or November.