Alcohol consumption is legal in Turkey as long as you are above the legal age limit of 18. Since the foundation of the Turkish Republic, alcohol consumption has been free in Turkey. Since coming to power in 2002, the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party has cracked down on alcohol. The government has raised related taxes over the years, passing a law in 2013 banning the advertising and sale of alcohol in liquor stores after 10 p.m. It also prohibits alcohol producers and sellers from sponsoring sporting events. Yusuf Alatas, a prominent human rights lawyer, says the ruling party has overwhelmed criticism and forced sweeping changes with little debate on issues dividing the country and changing its modern history of non-religious rule. He says the adoption of restrictions on alcohol is part of an Islamist agenda to introduce a religious law. When traveling to Turkey, pay attention to cultural norms and attitudes towards alcohol. While many Turks consume alcohol, there may be a large proportion who choose not to do so for religious reasons. Tas is convinced that the restrictions on alcohol are intended to appease conservative Muslim voters.
“With so many bigger issues to solve, there really is no need for alcohol restrictions in Turkey. If they care so much about religious freedom, why don`t they solve the headscarf issue instead of limiting the choices of others? Since 2002, Turkey has been ruled by an Islamic-conservative government that tries to limit alcohol consumption through very high taxes, but despite this, its consumption has increased in recent years. Between 2013 and 2014, sales increased by 6.5%. In 2014, more than 1 billion 77 million liters were sold in the country. The most consumed alcohol is a beer with 943 million liters, followed by wine and rakı. And these are only the visible measures. Although more than 150,000 shops, including supermarkets, sell alcohol in Turkey, it has become increasingly difficult in recent years to get permission to open new shops for the sale of alcohol, said Özgür Aybas, head of an alcohol association that opposes government restrictions. In some conservative areas, local authorities reject requests from shops, claiming that alcohol is a sin. The Turkish wine industry continues to grow with low consumption. However, rising alcohol prices have made wines a popular drink.
The consumption and production of Turkish wine continues to increase every year. The legal drinking age in Turkey is 18. You may need to provide ID to prove your age if you don`t tell the bartender the age. It should be noted that it is illegal to sell alcohol within 100 meters of a mosque or school. After 1924, alcohol and alcohol consumption were still free in Turkey. All of this is legal. Turkish law allows a person to produce up to 350 liters of alcohol at home per year, although they are not allowed to sell it. That`s why we don`t allow people to buy and sell raki within our group, although we do allow people to promote distillers and sell them to other members. The public debate began last month when Erdogan gave a speech pronouncing ayran — a salty mixture of yogurt and water — rather than raki, an anise delicacy similar to ouzo, Turkey`s national drink.
A few weeks later, the full anti-alcohol bill was introduced in Parliament. The law also included the obligation to blur the depictions of alcoholic beverages on television and in television movies, as has already been done for cigarettes[2] and for bottles bearing health warnings similar to the warnings for tobacco packaging. [4] These laws have not affected online media, and opposition to banning platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Ekşi Sözlük and YouTube has increased. Although Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, it has a rich consumer culture and produces a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and raki, the country`s signature spirit. The consumption of alcohol became legal shortly after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey and a hard drinker, helped establish a state-owned vineyard. I went on Reddit and asked Turkish Redditors if they consume alcohol or not. 570 Turkish Redditors responded to my survey. Here are my conclusions. How often do you drink alcohol? PercentageDaily254.5%2-3 times a week254.5%Once a week397%Once a month13524%I never drink alcoholic beverages34660%My Reddit survey on Turkish Redditor alcohol consumption Since 2011, the consumption of all alcohol in Turkey has decreased, according to the Turkish Tobacco and Alcohol Regulatory Authority (TAPDK). Turkish cuisine is very rich and is best complemented by local alcoholic beverages, although they also have plenty of delicious soft drinks.
Turkish wines are not to be missed, as there are many local producers and grapes due to Turkey`s diverse topography and climate. Coincidentally, the United States agreed to alcohol prohibition in the same years. When traveling to Turkey, be respectful of the locals, learn what to do and what not to do, and realize that they may have a different attitude towards alcohol than in your home country. Just like in your home country, there are still laws to disturb the peace of others, so drink responsibly. After the short history section, I can now tell you something about the history of Turkish alcohol consumption. In short, alcohol is drunk without complex in the secular and westernized middle class of western Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum …) and among the Alevis, who are a branch of Islam that represents nearly 20% of the population. Alevis are mainly present in the east of the country. Conversely, some cities like Konya are known as “dry” cities, cities where people are more conservative and drink less. In Istanbul, in the central districts, alcohol is still drunk without inhibition and in recent years, wine houses and cocktail bars have appeared everywhere. Check out our article on Turkish wines and grape varieties as well as the best places to drink in Istanbul. In Turkey, licenses are required to sell or serve alcohol, including beer.
[4] Alcohol can only be sold in markets between 6am and 10pm, but there is no time limit in restaurants, bars, etc.[2] Student residences, health facilities, sports clubs, educational institutions and some petrol stations are prohibited from selling alcohol. Alcohol can be purchased at convenience stores called “Tekel” where a selection of local beers, wines and spirits, as well as tobacco can be found. Supermarkets tend to have cheaper prices for alcohol, with most imported and popular branded spirits costing much more. In 2014, an alcohol tax was increased, depending on your country of origin and exchange rate, prices may seem higher or more affordable. I like to drink two or three glasses of raki a day, but this habit is expensive and costs about 50 Turkish liras a day (equivalent to about 12 euros). Much of the cost comes from taxes that the government levies on alcohol. These taxes have gradually increased since 2002 [Editor`s note: taxes represent just over 65% of the price of a bottle]. So now I make my own raki and the ingredients only cost me about 10 Turkish liras per liter [equivalent to about 2.60 euros]. And it tastes better, is organic and doesn`t give me a headache! Turkish alcohol laws regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. In a surprise move last week, Turkey`s parliament passed strict laws that, once approved by President Abdullah Gul, will limit alcohol sales and consumption in Turkey. Within the group, several different “masters” – that`s the term used – offer their alcoholic wisdom to the other members. Sometimes they answer questions posted by members directly, while sometimes they create and publish explainer videos.
Alcohol consumption is increasing in metropolitan areas and decreasing in conservative rural areas. However, the less conservative and most modern western regions of Turkey have significantly higher per capita alcohol consumption. Spring. According to the Turkish Statistics Institute, 74% of Turks have never consumed an alcoholic beverage. In this research, only people over the age of 15 are considered. “Many European countries may have similar restrictions on alcohol, but they have all the democratic rights.