Top Stories from Türkiye
30.8% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 21.1 million current smokers in Turkey
42.1% of men are current smokers but only 19.7% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-11-01
Smoking in Turkey
There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Turkey. Smoking prevalence was 39% overall in 2000 and declined to 28% in 2015, with a further drop to around 22% projected by 2025. The prevalence of current smoking for men remains high. Men’s prevalence decreased significantly from 60% in 2000 to 43% in 2015, with a further decrease to 34% projected by 2025. Women’s prevalence was 20% in 2000; this decreased to 14% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to 11% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
85,332
Deaths
85,332 people in Turkey die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
5.7 million €
Market size of NRT.
Estimated NRT market size is 5.7 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Turkey
In Turkey, e-cigarettes are regulated as novel tobacco products and are subject to strict regulatory controls. Under Presidential Decree No. 2149, issued on 24 February 2020, the importation and sale of novel tobacco products for trade purposes were officially banned. However, importation for personal use of e-cigarettes remains legal, meaning individuals may possess and use these products, although their use in public places is prohibited. Additionally, advertising these products is also banned. Statisitcs show that the adult vaping prevalence in Turkey was estimated to be 0.4% as of 2022. This indicates that e-cigarette use is relatively low among the adult population in the country.
References
1. Global tobacco control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/product-classifications. Accessed: 30 October 2025.
2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction
Turkey. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/turkey/e-cigarettes. Accessed: 30 October 2025.
3. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-tur.pdf?sfvrsn=332cb311_3&download=true. Accessed: 30 October 2025.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Turkey
In Turkey, heated tobacco products (HTPs) are regulated as novel tobacco products and are banned, including their sale, purchase, and advertising. This prohibition reflects the country’s strict approach to emerging tobacco and nicotine products. You can't advertise HTP in Turkey.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Turkey
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are legal and available for sale in Turkey. They can be purchased without a prescription and are primarily available in pharmacies. The government covers the cost of NRT products, as they are included on the country’s essential drug list, reflecting their recognised role in tobacco cessation efforts. In Turkey you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.
Snus
in Turkey
Based on information obtained from industry sources, snus is banned in Turkey. This ban deprives many smokers who wish to switch to a potentially safer nicotine alternative, which has helped many smokers in countries such as Sweden to quit smoking. The sale of Snus is banned.
Pouches
in Turkey
According to Tobacco Intelligence, nicotine pouches are banned in Turkey. This ban deprives many smokers of a potentially safer nicotine alternative that could help them quit smoking. The sale of Pouches is banned.
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team.
However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice.
We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product
categories can change at short notice and with little publicity.
If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region,
you should verify the information independently.
If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details
and any references and we will rectify any errors.