The Turkish government is preparing a regulatory overhaul that could alter tobacco sales and consumption across all 81 provinces. Following an initial review by the Presidency, the draft bill is scheduled for formal submission to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in October.
The measures remain in the proposal stage and do not yet carry the force of law. The draft combines immediate retail and usage controls with a long-term timeline to phase out commercial tobacco entirely.
Proposed 2040 Phaseout and Stricter Retail Rules
The central element of the draft legislation is a proposed end to the sale and distribution of all tobacco products starting January 1, 2040. To reach that goal, authorities plan to enforce stricter rules at retail locations:
- Standardized Plain Packaging: Eliminating brand logos and distinctive symbols to standardize pack dimensions.
- Closed-Cabinet Storage: Requiring vendors to store tobacco products out of public view in closed storage units.
- Electronic Age Verification: Mandating digital age checks at the point of sale.
Expanding Outdoor and Hospitality Smoking Prohibitions
The draft legislation also targets secondhand smoke exposure by expanding the perimeter of public smoking bans. Under the proposal, tobacco use will be prohibited in several open-air public areas:
- Children's playgrounds, sports facilities, and public beaches.
- Expanded perimeter zones surrounding schools, hospitals, public buildings, and places of worship.
The draft also addresses hospitality venues. Dining establishments would only be permitted to allow smoking in designated, non-visible outdoor sections that meet strict building criteria. Hotels would similarly be required to restrict smoking strictly to designated guest rooms.
The final scope of these rules will depend on parliamentary debate when the bill enters legislative review in October.
