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Turkey: Overview

Consumption

• Almost one-third (31 percent) of the population in Turkey smoke, and rates of tobacco use are rising.
• Almost one-half of men (48 percent) and 15 percent of women smoke.
• Among youth (age 13-15), 7 percent currently smoke cigarettes and 3 percent of youth currently use tobacco products other than cigarettes.
• Nargile smoking, or waterpipe smoking — the most traditional form of smoking tobacco in Turkey — is increasing in popularity.

Health consequences

• More than 100,000 Turks die each year from tobacco-related diseases.
• Among youth (age 13-15), 86 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places and 82 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

Tobacco industry

International tobacco companies dominate the market, holding over 92 percent of the cigarette market share in Turkey. In 2008, Philip Morris International led with 40 percent of market share, followed by British American Tobacco (35 percent), Japan Tobacco (14 percent), and Imperial Tobacco (3 percent). In Turkey, more than 107 billion cigarettes were sold in 2008.

FCTC status

Turkey ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 31, 2004.

Tobacco control policy status

Smoke-free environments: Turkey has a national ban on smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places.

Advertising, promotion and sponsorship: Turkey has a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. A few aspects of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are heavily regulated, but not completely banned.

Warning labels: Smoked tobacco products currently have a combined picture and text warning that covers 65% of the front of the pack and a text-only warning that covers 43% of the back of the pack. Smokeless tobacco products warnings must cover 30% of the front and 40% of the back of the pack, and may also include graphic warnings or texts.

Tobacco taxes: Turkey’s tobacco tax as a percent of retail meets minimum European Union (EU) standards. However, in 2009, Turkey’s average retail price of cigarettes was lower than the average price in all high income EU countries. Low prices result in lower tax revenues. Turkey’s cigarette excise tax revenue is among the lowest of major cigarette consuming countries in the EU.