New System Preparation to Prevent Cigarette Sales to Minors Under 18
The Ministry of Health is working on age verification methods to prevent young people's access to tobacco products.
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced that they are working on a new age verification system to completely prevent cigarette sales to those under 18 and make the existing ban more effective.
New Age Verification System
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced that a new regulatory study is being carried out regarding the use of tobacco and tobacco products. In this context, age verification is planned in order to prevent cigarette sales to those under the age of 18.
Usage Rates and Average Age
Stating that the smoking rate in Turkey is at the level of 33 percent, Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that the average age for starting smoking has dropped to 17. According to determinations made, 57 percent of those under the age of 18 start smoking at these ages.
Application Methods and Expenditures
It was stated that various methods such as asking for age or using HES (Life Fits Home) with QR codes are being evaluated to make the sales ban for those under 18 effective. On the other hand, it was stated that Turkey spends around 15 billion dollars annually just for cigarette packs, and 25-30 billion dollars in total.