The Turkish Ministry of Health is preparing draft legislation that would phase out all commercial tobacco sales by January 1, 2040. Slated for parliamentary review in late 2025, the proposal imposes strict curbs on outdoor smoking, hides tobacco products from store shelves, and establishes criminal penalties for retailers who sell to minors.
Stricter Retail Displays and Broadened Product Definitions
Under the proposed retail rules, stores will no longer display tobacco products on visible shelves. Retailers must store all stock inside closed cabinets that are entirely invisible to consumers. Every purchase must be processed through an electronic tracking system linked directly to age verification.
The draft also expands legal definitions to cover all nicotine delivery methods. Traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, hookahs, and synthetic nicotine pouches will fall under identical legal restrictions. Selling any of these products to individuals under 18 will carry a mandatory prison term between six months and one year.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions and Penalties
The draft bill targets public exposure by prohibiting smoking in open areas of restaurants, cafes, places of worship, sports facilities, and public beaches. In dining establishments, designated smoking areas cannot exceed 10% of total usable space, must be physically walled off, and cannot provide food or drink service.
| Violation Category | Proposed Penalty |
|---|---|
| Smoking in Prohibited Public Zones | 5,000 Turkish liras fine |
| Selling Nicotine Products to Minors | 6 to 12 months mandatory imprisonment |
| Business Venue Non-Compliance | 5,000 to 10,000,000 liras fine + license revocation |
| Illegal Trade/Sale (Post-2040) | 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 liras judicial fine |
Centralized Enforcement Under Provincial Governors
To ensure uniform compliance, the bill shifts enforcement authority away from local municipalities directly to central government officials. Provincial and district governors will oversee dedicated inspection teams tasked with auditing retail points and policing outdoor venues.
The initiative builds on Türkiye’s 2009 “Smoke-Free Airspace” campaign, setting a clear trajectory toward ending commercial tobacco distribution within the next fifteen years.
