Turkey seeks to strengthen tobacco control measures

Turkey plans to further tighten its already strict tobacco control system. Health Minister Kemal Memishoglu said legislation to expand the scope of indoor smoking bans is nearing completion and is expected to be submitted to Parliament for review soon. Memishoglu pointed out that these measures aim to strengthen the fight against tobacco addiction by strengthening smoke-free environments and expanding the size of smoking cessation clinics and mobile smoking cessation service teams nationwide. Despite years of law enforcement enforcing smoking bans, the smoking rate in Turkey still exceeds a quarter of the total population. The move builds on various tobacco control measures that Turkey has long implemented, including a comprehensive indoor smoking ban, unified packaging, advertising bans and e-cigarette restrictions.