Turkey Drafts New Law: Sellers of E-Cigarettes Could Face Up to 6 Years in Prison

Dec.02.2024
Turkey Drafts New Law: Sellers of E-Cigarettes Could Face Up to 6 Years in Prison
The Turkish government is tightening regulations on e-cigarettes, with a new bill proposing severe penalties for sellers, including up to six years in prison for violators.

The Turkish government has decided to tighten regulations on tobacco and alcohol, introducing severe penalties for those involved in the sale of e-cigarettes and alcohol. The new legislation, aimed at curbing illegal trade and protecting public health, will soon be presented to Parliament for review, according to a report by Haberler on December 1st.

 

According to the new draft law:

 

  • Those involved in the production, sale, possession, and transportation of electronic cigarettes and electronic shishas (hookahs), as well as their components, such as devices, parts, and solutions, will face imprisonment from 3 to 6 years. 

 

  • Cigarette paper and cigarette filters must bear warning labels with 85% of the surface covered with images and Turkish text. Violators will face fines of 50,000 Turkish Lira (approximately $1,440).

 

  • Sellers who provide tobacco or shisha to minors under 18 years old and commit the same offense three times within five years will have their sales or presentation licenses revoked, and their businesses will be closed for two years.

 

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