Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu has clarified the discussions regarding preparations for regulations on the sale of tobacco products. In a post on his social media account, Memişoğlu addressed anti-tobacco efforts, stating that their primary goal is to protect children from the harms of tobacco.
Memişoğlu expressed that age verification has come to the forefront among the regulatory options on the agenda. The Minister emphasized that this method aims to prevent the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18.
"I understand the questions surrounding our statements. Our citizens should rest assured; our priority is to prevent the sale of tobacco products to our children under 18 by implementing age verification and to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco."
Noting that the new draft law and legislative efforts are being handled within this framework, Memişoğlu reported that all options, including electronic systems that respect privacy, protect personal data, and provide ease of implementation, are being evaluated.
Minister Memişoğlu also drew attention to the problems faced by non-smoking citizens in social areas. Stating that they care about the right to clean air for millions of non-smokers, Memişoğlu expressed that efforts to resolve grievances in these areas are ongoing.
Saying that the harm caused by tobacco cannot be seen merely as an individual choice, Memişoğlu stated that they aim to protect young people in particular and target "a healthier Turkey where one can breathe more easily." Memişoğlu concluded his message with the words, "The fight against tobacco is everyone's fight."
REACTION FROM THE PALACE
On the other hand, Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral reacted to the possibility of making it mandatory to declare a Turkish ID number for the sale of tobacco products. Stating that the practice could create privacy concerns among citizens, Saral argued that the decision should be re-evaluated.
Saral included the following statements in his announcement:
"We all know that smoking is harmful. However, requiring citizens to provide their Turkish ID number just to buy a pack of cigarettes should not be seen as an acceptable practice.
Decisions that will create question marks in the minds of citizens and raise privacy concerns should be thought through once more before being taken.
Our President should not be forced to bear the burden of decisions that will draw the public's reaction while he is struggling with the issues of our country on one hand.
Supporting our President is possible not by increasing his burden, but by taking the right steps that will win the hearts of the nation.
In this regard, it is necessary to hear the voice of our nation and act with common sense."
"I understand the questions surrounding our statements. Our citizens should rest assured; our priority is to prevent the sale of tobacco products to our children under 18 by implementing age verification and to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco. In this direction, we are evaluating all options, including electronic systems that respect privacy, protect personal data, and provide ease of implementation, and we are handling our new draft law and legislation within this framework.
"ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ARE ALSO BEING EVALUATED"
According to Minister Memişoğlu's statement, work is underway on different methods to ensure age verification in the sale of tobacco products. In this context, various options, including electronic systems, are being evaluated to protect personal data, respect privacy, and ensure ease of implementation. It was stated that the new draft law and related legislation are being handled in this direction.
Expressing that they are well aware of the sensitivities and the right to clean air of millions of non-smoking citizens, Memişoğlu reported that efforts to eliminate grievances experienced in social areas are continuing. Minister Memişoğlu stated that their fundamental goal in the fight against tobacco is to protect the entire society, especially the youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco. Emphasizing that they aim to create a healthier Turkey where one can breathe more easily, Memişoğlu concluded his statement with the words, "Let us not forget, the fight against tobacco is everyone's fight."
News Source: 12punto
