Smoking restrictions
The Government of Turkey approved Law No. 4207, regulating smoking and
the sale and advertising of tobacco products. The law prohibits smoking in institutions providing
health, educational or cultural services, in closed sporting areas, and within mass transportation
systems. Public businesses with five or more employees must provide special non-smoking areas.
Additionally, the law:
1. prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 years;
2. requires the words "Legal Warning: Harmful to Health" to be printed on all packaging of
tobacco and tobacco products produced in or imported into Turkey;
3. requires all establishments where smoking is prohibited to place warning signs as well as
advertising the consequences of violating the prohibition;
4. requires State and private radio and television stations to air a minimum of 90 minutes of
public service messages warning of the harmful effects of tobacco.
Furthermore, the Law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco and tobacco products by using
any name, trademark, or trade name.
Although the advertising ban applies equally to both the State tobacco enterprise, TEKEL, which
controls 70 percent of the market, and to private companies, the private manufacturers consider
themselves to be unfairly disadvantaged since, having only recently entered the market, advertising is
critical for them.
the sale and advertising of tobacco products. The law prohibits smoking in institutions providing
health, educational or cultural services, in closed sporting areas, and within mass transportation
systems. Public businesses with five or more employees must provide special non-smoking areas.
Additionally, the law:
1. prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 years;
2. requires the words "Legal Warning: Harmful to Health" to be printed on all packaging of
tobacco and tobacco products produced in or imported into Turkey;
3. requires all establishments where smoking is prohibited to place warning signs as well as
advertising the consequences of violating the prohibition;
4. requires State and private radio and television stations to air a minimum of 90 minutes of
public service messages warning of the harmful effects of tobacco.
Furthermore, the Law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco and tobacco products by using
any name, trademark, or trade name.
Although the advertising ban applies equally to both the State tobacco enterprise, TEKEL, which
controls 70 percent of the market, and to private companies, the private manufacturers consider
themselves to be unfairly disadvantaged since, having only recently entered the market, advertising is
critical for them.

Vietnam launches the inaugural National Non-Smoking Week today in an effort to raise awareness of the consequences of smoking and protect young people from such dangers. 