Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul

30.5% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 19.1 million current smokers in Turkey

42.8% of men are current smokers but only 18.9% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Turkey
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

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.

65,340

Deaths

65340 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

The legal situation with regard to the importation and sale of e-cigarettes is unclear, as there is a Ministry of Health Circular stating that they are banned, but there are also other laws that consider them as tobacco products in terms of age restrictions and public place bans. At the end of 2017, it was reported on the Vaping Post website that the Minister of Finance had announced that Turkey is withdrawing plans to start the importation and production of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes. There are reports of vapers being fined for vaping indoors.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Turkey

In Turkey, heated tobacco products are regulated as ‘other tobacco products’ under the Law on Prevention and Control of Hazards of Tobacco Products. You can't advertise HTP in Turkey.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Turkey

In Turkey you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.

Snus

in Turkey

The sale of Snus is banned.

Pouches

in Turkey

Pouches are allowed.

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.