[Ankara 20th Reuters]-Turkish President Erdogan said on the 20th that e-cigarette manufacturers would never allow the manufacture of products in Turkey and encouraged the Turkish people to drink tea instead of electronic cigarettes.
The president said at a smoking cessation event in Istanbul that he had instructed the Trade Minister to “never” authorize e-cigarettes in Turkey, saying that tobacco traders were “rich by poisoning” people. .
The president did not name the company, “The merchant has asked for a place and permit for the production of electronic cigarettes, but we have not allowed them. We will not allow them anymore. Let's invest in. "
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2016, the proportion of smokers in Turkey's population over 15 years old was around 27%, down from 31% in 2010. Men accounted for the majority.
In Turkey, the use of electronic cigarettes called vaping is not illegal, but purchase and distribution are illegal. Many purchase through the Internet.
Erdogan, a devout Muslim known for hating alcohol and cigarettes, said, “Stop cigarettes and drink Rize tea. As a president, for those who love, this is Haram (a Muslim contraindication). Let me say that. "
Recently, countries such as Australia, Brazil, India, and Japan have taken action to regulate or ban the electronic cigarette market.
