Turkey wants to introduce document checks when selling cigarettes

Brief retelling from RIA II

Turkish authorities plan to require buyers to show identification when purchasing cigarettes.

The Minister of Health of the Republic, Kemal Memişoğlu, said that a bill on new rules for the sale of tobacco products will be presented to parliament within a few weeks.

According to the minister, 80% of Turkish residents would like to quit smoking, and authorities intend to work to ensure that smoking is less visible in public life.

ANKARA, October 10 – RIA Novosti. The Turkish authorities plan to oblige buyers to present an identification card when purchasing cigarettes; they intend to introduce a corresponding bill to parliament in the next few weeks, said the Minister of Health of the Republic, Kemal Memişoğlu.

According to Memisoglu, the bill provides for the introduction of new rules for the sale of tobacco products. The document is scheduled to be presented to parliament within a few weeks.

The minister did not specify other details of the proposed mechanism, including the procedure for verifying the identity of buyers and the timing of the possible entry into force of changes.

According to the minister, about 160 billion cigarettes were sold in Turkey last year, which corresponds to about 8 billion packs. He estimated the annual market turnover at $20–30 billion.

The minister pointed out the dangers of smoking to health and noted that many citizens want to give up this habit. According to him, according to a study by the Turkish Red Crescent Society against addictions Yeşilay, 80% of the country's residents would like to quit smoking.