Turkey plans to completely ban tobacco and nicotine products by 2040

A bill proposed by the AKP party, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, aims to introduce extensive restrictions on the use of tobacco and nicotine products.[1]. It is currently the subject of public discussions in Turkey and must be submitted to Parliament. The text provides for a significant strengthening of regulations in many public spaces, with a long-term objective: the complete elimination of the production, sale and consumption of tobacco and nicotine products (all referred to indiscriminately as "tobacco products", even if they do not contain any, in Turkish legislation) by 2040.

Strict strengthening of regulations on all forms of tobacco and nicotine products by 2040

The bill broadens the definition of "tobacco products" to include all products containing natural or synthetic nicotine, even if they do not contain tobacco itself. All such products are thus covered by the provisions of the proposed law. Specifically, it is stated that electronic transmission systems used to mimic tobacco products, even if they contain neither tobacco nor nicotine, are also included. Therefore, tobacco products in the strict sense, such as cigarettes, cigars, heated tobacco products, and hookahs, are included in the bill, as well as tobacco-free nicotine products like e-cigarettes, and, more broadly, all electronic devices that mimic smoking or vaping, with or without nicotine.

New sales rules would be introduced: all the products mentioned would have to be stored in enclosed spaces out of public view, purchases would no longer be possible with cash, transactions would be tracked electronically, and systematic identity and age checks for buyers would be required.[2].

The proposal aims to ban or severely restrict the use of these products in public buildings, all educational and healthcare facilities, places of worship, outdoor spaces such as playgrounds, parks and kindergartens, sports fields, beaches, and at outdoor events. In restaurants, designated smoking areas would be permitted only under strict conditions. These areas could not exceed 10% of the establishment's total surface area and should cover a maximum of 2 to 20 square meters. They would have to be isolated, not visible to the public, and off-limits to minors.

In addition, specific measures would apply to hotels and transport: smoking and vaping would only be permitted in specially equipped rooms, and smoking and vaping would be completely prohibited in the driver's seat and on all public transport, including taxis.

Stricter controls and deterrent sanctions

The enforcement of smoking and vaping bans would no longer fall under the jurisdiction of municipalities, but rather under that of local administrative authorities, such as governors and prefects. These local authorities would establish anti-tobacco inspection teams composed of at least two civil servants and one law enforcement officer, empowered to issue fixed fines.

Penalties for violating the ban on tobacco products would be increased. Anyone selling tobacco products to minors would be subject to prosecution and could face a prison sentence of six months to one year.

Individuals and legal entities would face fines ranging from 5,000 Turkish lira (€95) for anyone smoking or vaping in a prohibited area to 10 million Turkish lira (€191,000) for those responsible for the establishments in question; furthermore, sanctions such as license revocation would be possible. Businesses would indeed face progressive sanctions, potentially leading to closure, in cases of repeated offenses.

A possible ban on all these products from 2040

From 1^er By January 2040, the production, marketing, and use of all tobacco and nicotine products would be completely prohibited, with significant financial penalties for manufacturers and distributors, as well as administrative fines for users. Anyone who imports, produces, offers for sale, transports, or sells prohibited products would be subject to court fines ranging from 1 to 5 million Turkish lira (19,000 to 95,000 euros). Anyone who purchases, possesses, or brings tobacco products into the country in their luggage after this date would be subject to administrative fines ranging from 50,000 to 250,000 Turkish lira (955 to 4,778 euros). The amount of the fines would be adjusted for inflation up to that date.

These guidelines aim to align Turkey with international best practices, and in particular with the European Union's "tobacco-free generation" objective of achieving an adult smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2040.

In 2025, the prevalence of traditional tobacco use among men aged 15 and over was still very high (31.9% of cases) in Türkiye.[3], and 23.01 % of male deaths were attributable to smoking in 2023.

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[1]Bülent Sarıoğlu, Sigaraya yeni yasaklar geliyor! 2040'ta tutün ürünleri satılmayacak, Hürriyet, published on April 10, 2026, accessed on April 13, 2026

[2]Türkiye'de Tütünle Mücadelede "Radikal" Karar: 2040'ta Sigara Satışı Tamamen Yasaklanıyor!, Milli Irade, published on February 13, 2026, accessed the same day

[3]Drope J, Hamill S, Country profile: Turkey,The Tobacco Atlas, New York: Vital Strategies and Economics for Health, updated in 2025, accessed April 14, 2026

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