A recent Board Resolution by the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regularity Authority prohibits retail stores from including alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in "new year's baskets". The Board Resolution was published Official Gazette number 29523 on 21 October 2015. It was made based on Article 19 and 20 of the Regulation on Procedures and Principles Regarding Tobacco and Alcohol Sale and Supply numbered 27808 ("Regulation"), dated 7 January 2011.
Article 19 of the Regulation prohibits advertisement and publicity of tobacco products. The article states that tobacco products must not be the subject of reward, betting or promotion, nor be distributed free of charge through any incentive, sales sample, relief, lottery or similar system.
Article 20 of the Regulation prohibits advertisement and publicity of alcoholic beverages. The article strictly forbids consumer advertisement and publicity, although allows informative publicity about product characteristics, provided it does not promote or encourage. Therefore, campaigns, promotions or activities which encourage access or sale of alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Similarly, Article 20 also prohibits distribution of alcoholic beverages free of charge as incentives, gifts, sample sales, or promotions.
Please see this link for the full text of the Board Resolution (only available in Turkish).
Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.
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