TURKEY
In 2018 Turkey saw its highest figures of cigarette consumption to date, with a study revealing 1,400 cigarettes were consumed for every person.
“Last year, we experienced the biggest consumption of tobacco in the history of the republic,” said Professor Elif Dağlı of the Turkish Thoracic Association. “We consumed a total of 118.5 billion cigarettes. That’s 1,400 cigarettes per person.”
In February 2019 Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said the incidence of smoking in the country had increased from 27% to 32 % in recent years, despite a ban on smoking in public places, and that the ministry was preparing to launch a new anti-smoking campaign. In April the Turkish government announced a 20% price increase on cigarettes following its January move of increasing special consumption tax on cigarettes to 67% from 63%