11.10.2026 15:30
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu, in his new statement regarding the identity requirement in cigarette sales, stated that their priority is to prevent the sale of tobacco products to those under 18. He announced that all options, including electronic systems that protect personal data, are being evaluated. Presidential Chief Advisor Saral, however, previously objected to the regulation and argued that requiring an ID number would raise privacy concerns, saying that no additional burden should be placed on President Erdoğan.
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu made a new assessment after his statements regarding making the presentation of a Turkish Republic ID mandatory in cigarette sales. Stating that their priority is to prevent the sale of tobacco products to children under the age of 18, Memişoğlu announced that all options, including electronic systems based on the protection of personal data, are being evaluated.
After announcing that the presentation of a Turkish Republic ID would be made mandatory in cigarette sales, Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu made a new statement from his NSosyal account.
Drawing attention to the harms caused by tobacco products, Memişoğlu, in his statement titled "This picture we see is a preventable devastation," stated that tobacco use is not only an individual choice but creates a shared burden affecting all of society.
"LET OUR CITIZENS REST ASSURED"
Addressing the question marks that arose after the statements regarding identity checks in cigarette sales, Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that the priority purpose of the regulation is to protect children.
Memişoğlu used the following expressions in his statement: "I understand the question marks about our statements. Let our citizens rest assured; our priority is to prevent the sale of tobacco products to our children under 18 by performing age verification and to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco. In this direction, we are evaluating all options, including electronic systems that respect privacy, protect personal data, and provide ease of implementation, and we are addressing our new draft law and legislation within this framework."
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ARE ALSO BEING EVALUATED
According to Minister Memişoğlu's statement, different methods to ensure age verification in the sale of tobacco products are being worked on.
In this context, various options, including electronic systems, are being evaluated in order to protect personal data, respect privacy, and provide ease of implementation. It was stated that the new draft law and relevant legislation are also being addressed in this direction.
EMPHASIS ON THE RIGHT OF NON-SMOKERS TO CLEAN AIR
Expressing that they are very well aware of the sensitivities and right to clean air of millions of citizens who do not smoke, Memişoğlu reported that efforts to eliminate the grievances experienced in social areas are continuing.
Minister Memişoğlu stated that their main goal in the fight against tobacco is to protect all of society, especially young people, from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Emphasizing that they aim to create a Turkey where people are healthier and can breathe more comfortably, Memişoğlu concluded his statement with the words, "Let us not forget, the fight against tobacco is all of our fight."
OBJECTION CAME FROM PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF ADVISER SARAL
Presidential Chief Adviser Oktay Saral had opposed the regulation announced by Minister of Health Memişoğlu. Stating that the harms of smoking are known by everyone, Saral argued that this does not justify asking citizens for an identity number. Saral used the following expressions in his statement: "We all know that smoking is harmful. However, asking a citizen for a Turkish Republic identity number to buy a pack of cigarettes should not be seen as an acceptable practice either."
"DECISIONS THAT WILL RAISE PRIVACY CONCERNS"
Also, Oktay Saral stated that the regulation should be reconsidered in terms of personal privacy. Asking that decisions that could create question marks in citizens' minds be carefully evaluated before being made, Saral said: "Before decisions are made that will create question marks in citizens' minds and raise privacy concerns, they should be considered once again."
HIS WORDS ABOUT PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN DREW ATTENTION
The Presidential Chief Adviser's statement also included expressions regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Saral stated that decisions that could draw citizens' reaction should not place an additional burden on President Erdoğan. "While our President is struggling with our country's issues on the one hand, he should not be forced to carry the burden of decisions that will draw the nation's reaction on the other. Supporting our President is possible not by increasing his burden, but by taking the right steps that will win the heart of the nation. On this matter, it is necessary to hear the voice of our nation and act with common sense."