Turkey’s Plain Packaging Requirement Takes Effect

Just about a year ago, Turkey announced it would be joining the list of countries switching to plain packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products. This week, those changes began going into effect, a process that will be complete by Jan. 5, 2020.

The country’s Agriculture and Forestry Ministry announced earlier this week that plain packaging will be required for any newly produced products being sent to retail as of Dec. 5.

Additionally, health warnings will need to be included and must take up 85 percent of the package. The product’s brand name is only allowed to appear once and can take up no more than 5 percent of the side on which it is placed, while no logos or other symbols will be allowed. Tobacco products will also be required to be sold in cabinets that are not visible to the public.

The change comes as part of a number of initiatives to reduce tobacco use within the country. Smoking within restaurants and bars has already been banned, while the country is prohibiting the showing of tobacco products on television or in films in the country, while advertising will be restricted, including on social media. The sale of tobacco in places where education or health services are offered or at sports stadiums will also be banned.

Turkey joins Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Slovenia and Ireland as countries to have enacted a plain packaging requirement for some if not all of tobacco products.