New government move against electronic cigarettes: Prison sentences on the way
The AKP government's new legislative proposal, set to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in the coming days, introduces prison sentences for those who trade in electronic cigarettes and those who distill alcohol to increase its alcohol content.
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Seeking to curb informality and smuggling in tobacco and alcohol, the AKP government is also preparing new sanctions regarding electronic cigarette addiction, which has become increasingly widespread among young people.
According to a report by the Türkiye newspaper, known for its proximity to the government, the administration will submit a new legislative proposal to the TBMM in this direction. According to the proposal, those who produce, sell, offer for sale, possess, or transport for commercial purposes within the country any product that mimics tobacco products—including electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs—as well as the electronic devices, components, spare parts, and solutions used for their consumption, will face prison sentences ranging from three to six years.
Just as with cigarette packs, macarons (cigarette tubes) will be required to feature warnings with pictures and Turkish text covering 85 percent of the surface. This rate will be 65 percent for cigarette paper and filters. Macarons, cigarette paper, and filters will be sold in plain, standard packaging. Hookahs will also be required to have pictorial and written warnings. Those who do not comply will be fined 50 thousand liras.
10 MILLION LIRA FINE
Those who use ethyl alcohol for commercial purposes outside of its intended use will be subject to a fine of up to 100 thousand liras. A fine of one million liras is proposed for those who add flavoring to ethyl alcohol.
Increasing the alcohol level through unauthorized distillation is prohibited, even for personal consumption. Those who do not comply with this will face up to three years in prison.
No signs, pictures, or symbols that could evoke alcoholic beverages will be allowed to be displayed anywhere. Fermented and distilled alcoholic beverage brands will not be allowed to be used interchangeably.
Those who do not conduct the trade of alcohol and alcoholic beverages through the electronic system to be provided by the Ministry of Agriculture will be subject to an administrative fine of 10 million liras.
If the act is repeated within five years, the licenses for production and import activities will be revoked.