Tobacco Taxation in Turkey : An Overview of Policy Measures and Results
Turkey’s government increased tobacco tax revenue and lowered tobacco consumption by increasing tobacco tax rates significantly between 2003 and 2013. However, both per capita tobacco consumption and total cigarette sales in Turkey have begun to in...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2017
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10986/26387 |
| Summary: | Turkey’s government increased tobacco
tax revenue and lowered tobacco consumption by increasing
tobacco tax rates significantly between 2003 and 2013.
However, both per capita tobacco consumption and total
cigarette sales in Turkey have begun to increase again in
recent years. Although the recent rise in cigarette sales
may be attributed to the influx of Syrian refugees into
Turkey, the analysis reveals other factors. First, average
cigarette price increased more slowly than inflation. Thus,
cigarettes became relatively cheaper compared to other goods
and services. Second, cigarette affordability has increased.
Turkey’s economy has grown steadily, and the demand for
cigarettes has risen as the population has become wealthier
over time. Turkey’s experience in managing these challenges
offers lessons for successful tobacco taxation. Turkey also
provides a good example of the feasibility of increasing
tobacco taxes, while combatting the illicit tobacco trade. |
|---|