Restrictions on alcohol and tobacco sales introduced in Turkey

Turkey has introduced restrictions on the sale and consumption of
alcohol. The decision was initiated by the Department for Regulation
of Tobacco and Alcohol Products. It caused discontent among tourists.
Turkey is visited by approximately 30 million tourists annually, RIA
Novosti reports.

The authorities explain that they aim at protecting youth from
alcohol. Tourism, restaurant and hotel business believe that the
government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants political dividends at the
parliamentary polls.

NTV says that the basketball club Efes Pilsen, sponsored by the beer
company with the same name and beer brand, will have to change its
name within a year.

The head of the Department for Regulation of Tobacco and Alcohol
Mehmet Kyuchuk said in an interview with the CNBC-e channel that the
authorities are not trying to ban, but are trying to regulate alcohol
distribution. He said that alcohol is officially sold in over 200,000
licensed trading spots.

He said that catering companies may have alcohol if they are licensed
to. The same concerns restaurants at coastal areas. Forbidding alcohol
sales on highways is common practice. Alcohol will be forbidden at
concerts. Alcohol drinks will be forbidden as gifts from companies.
Kyuchuk denied the political reason for the decision.

The deputy head of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party
Huseyin Celic expressed a similar point of view, pointing out that the
initiative was based on article 58 of the Constitution. Preparation of
the document took the European experience into account.

The deputy head of the Republican People's Party Akif Hamzachebi said
that it is an ideological aspect, Haber Turk paper reports.

As an example he reminded about the ban for jeans and tattoos at
universities. He reminded about the scandal at Mersin where boys and
girls were forbidden to approach each other closer than at a distance
of 45cm.

Leader of Republican People's Party Kemal Kilicdaroglu told that
protecting youth from alcohol and banning it is diverse actions. He
spoke out against change lifestyle.