[58860] Turkey expected to toughen fight against smoking: heavy fines and ban on cash payments

Turkey tightens measures against smoking: 100-fold increase in fines expected

The Turkish government is advancing significant measures to reduce tobacco consumption in the country, according to reports published on May 13, 2026. According to Haber Gündem, the ruling party (AK Parti) has drafted a bill called "Zero Tolerance," under which a 100-fold increase in the amount of fines for tobacco-related offenses is planned.

The plan, which is expected to take effect gradually by 2028, includes significant restrictions. According to Haber Gündem, the draft includes a ban on purchasing cigarettes with cash as well as a requirement for uniformity in product packaging to reduce the influence of surreptitious advertising.

At the same time, Sansürsüz Medya +18 reports that the threshold for fines is expected to skyrocket: a person caught smoking in prohibited places will risk a fine of up to 5,000 Turkish Lira, while businesses that violate the guidelines may be fined an amount of up to 122,660 Turkish Lira. According to the report, this is a direct tightening of the current enforcement policy.

The reports, based largely on publications in "Türkiye Gazetesi," highlight the end of the era of anonymous purchases in this sector. As noted by Borsa Hisse Haber, the most significant change for the consumer will be the end of the option to purchase cigarettes with cash, a move intended to tighten oversight of sales in the country.