Attention smokers: Another tax is coming...

Following the conclusion of the general and local elections, as the election economy comes to an end, taxes continue to be introduced in many areas. 

TAX ON TOBACCO COMPANIES 

According to a report by Esma Altın from Türkiye Gazetesi; amendments will be made to the law regulating the prohibition of tobacco products and the law regulating the tobacco and alcohol market, and a "pollution" tax will be imposed on tobacco companies.

CIGARETTE SALES TO BE BANNED 

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly given instructions for this issue to be worked on, and it has been learned that the study will be addressed in the new legislative term of Parliament, with work to be done on a draft text.

In the preliminary study to be presented to the Ministry of Health, it will be proposed that a date to be determined as a result of consultations between institutions and organizations responsible for protecting public health be taken as a basis, and that the sale of cigarettes to generations born after this date be prohibited.

CIGARETTE BUTT MODEL ALSO UNDER REVIEW

A proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Trade to amend the Law on the Regulation of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and the Alcohol Market. It will also be proposed that tobacco companies pay a waste or pollution tax to clean up cigarette butts.

It was stated that the opinions of scientists will be sought during the studies, and global examples will also be examined.

AKP officials noted that in addition to the model in the UK that bans cigarette sales to generations born after 2009, the model in Spain that collects a "cigarette butt" tax from the tobacco industry is also being examined.

Furthermore, it was stated that the Iceland model, where the cigarette ban will spread across the entire country in 2025, could be an example for Turkey in the next stage.

Stating that the model applied in Spain as a pollution or cigarette butt tax is aimed at the tobacco industry, the officials emphasized that the fight against cigarette manufacturers must be carried out.

News Source: 12punto