23.10.2026 12:10
In the draft smoking regulation prepared by the AK Party together with the Ministry of Health, it is planned to increase administrative fines for those who do not comply with the bans. In cafes and restaurants, the indoor area where smoking will be allowed will be redefined according to the size of the establishment, and a separate section will be created in outdoor areas as well. It has not yet been clarified when the draft will be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Work continues on the draft law concerning smoking regulations planned to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Increasing administrative fines in case of non-compliance with smoking bans is on the agenda. Because the age of starting smoking in Turkey has fallen below 18, when cigarette sales are prohibited, a number of measures will be taken, including stricter enforcement of existing rules, in order to reduce the 'visibility of cigarettes.' It is envisaged that separate sections will be created according to standards to be set for non-smokers in indoor venues. Smoking will not be allowed everywhere in outdoor areas of venues either; a separate section will be created.
Work on smoking is continuing in the AK Party's TBMM group together with the Ministry of Health. At a meeting held yesterday in the AK Party group, the draft law containing regulations on smoking was discussed.
73.3 PERCENT OF STUDENTS WHO SMOKE BUY CIGARETTES FROM MARKETS
The proposal draft prepared by the AK Party group on smoking was based on a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Health. According to the latest research conducted by the Ministry of Health, Turkey spends $30 billion annually on health care for smoking-related diseases and their treatment. The rate of students aged 13-15 who smoke and buy cigarettes from places such as markets and grocery stores was determined to be 73.3 percent.
Worldwide, the age range for starting to use cigarettes is 14-25. Of those who smoke, 82 percent start smoking at these ages. In Turkey, the average age of starting smoking is 17. That is, people start smoking under the age of 18, when cigarette sales are prohibited. Nearly all users of prohibited substances have a smoking habit before this addiction.
According to the Ministry's research, the tobacco use rate among women aged 15-24 in Turkey has increased more than twofold in 13 years.
Pointing to the gradual decline in the age of starting smoking and the high health expenditures for smoking-related diseases, officials emphasized that, in addition to new regulations on the matter, measures will be taken to increase inspections. Officials stated that the age of smoking in Turkey has begun to fall and that, for this reason, stricter measures are obligatory.
Therefore, it is planned to increase the administrative fines and other penalties applied to individuals and businesses that fail to comply with cigarette sales and other smoking-related rules.
INDOOR AREAS IN CAFES AND RESTAURANTS WILL BE REDEFINED
According to the draft under work, new regulations on smoking in places such as hospitals, schools, sports facilities, and playgrounds are envisaged, while new regulations will be introduced concerning smoking areas in places such as cafes and restaurants. In venues where food and beverages are consumed, the 'indoor area' where smoking is allowed will be redefined. This indoor space will be determined according to the size of the business. In addition to indoor areas, smoking will not be allowed everywhere in outdoor areas. A separate section will be created for smoking in outdoor areas.
In Turkey, it is aimed to follow the identity verification practice for those under 18, to whom cigarette sales are prohibited, through strict controls. For this purpose, it is intended to intensify inspections in places where cigarette and alcohol sales are concentrated.
In the survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, the rate of those supporting digital identity verification in cigarette sales was 90 percent. The rate of those who want those under 18 to be banned from entering areas where tobacco is used was 92 percent.
Officials stated that electronic identity verification is not currently being considered, and that the practice of the seller asking for identification when age is suspected will continue.
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT
Pointing out that electronic cigarette sales are prohibited in Turkey, officials reported that at present no regulation concerning the use of electronic cigarettes is being considered in this draft.
Officials, noting that electronic cigarettes are divided into liquid and IQOS types, emphasized that both are tobacco products and are within the scope of the prohibition in Turkey, but are mostly smuggled into the country.
Emphasizing that the spread of cigarette use will be prevented by making cigarettes attractive through 'slim cigarettes, cigarettes with reduced smoke and nicotine,' or various flavors, officials pointed out that every type causes serious health problems.
It has not yet become clear when the smoking regulation will be submitted to the TBMM. Officials, stating that deliberations on the 2027 budget will begin in the commission next week, expressed that it could be submitted during the budget discussions and taken up in the General Assembly after the budget discussions are completed.