New Fund Draft and Contribution Regulation from the Ministry of Health
A new draft bill prepared to finance preventive health services envisions collecting contributions from cigarettes, sugary beverages, and snacks.
A 25-article new draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Health to provide financing for preventive health services aims to collect additional contributions from tobacco products and certain foods.
Healthy Life Contribution Fund
The Ministry of Health has prepared a comprehensive draft bill to provide sustainable financing for preventive health services and healthy living policies. With the 25-article draft planned to be submitted to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in October or November, the establishment of a Healthy Life Contribution Fund is targeted.
Deductions from Tobacco Products
According to the prepared draft, it is envisaged to deduct a contribution of 20 liras per pack from packaged tobacco products and 100 liras per kilogram from unpackaged tobacco. Considering the annual consumption across Turkey, approximately 110 billion liras in annual revenue is expected to be transferred to the fund.
Food Groups Included in the Scope
The revenues of the planned fund are not limited only to tobacco products but have been expanded to include other food groups that directly concern public health. It is aimed to collect contributions from sugary beverages and snacks whose excessive consumption is not recommended.
Areas of Resource Utilization
The resources to be collected are planned to be spent directly on preventive and promotive health projects. With the budget to be created, school nutrition programs, the fight against obesity, dental health screenings, and early diagnosis of tobacco-related diseases will be supported.
Parliamentary Process and Timeline
The 25-article draft bill completed by the Ministry of Health is expected to take its final form after technical reviews within the AK Party group and be submitted to the agenda of the TBMM during the autumn term.