Turkiye plans to require customers to present identification when purchasing cigarettes.

Axar.az reports, citing local media, that according to the Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, smoking rates in Turkiye have risen in recent years.

According to the minister, tobacco use is one of the main factors behind diseases responsible for approximately 60% of deaths in Turkiye. Memisoglu added that around 33% of the country's population — one in every three people — uses tobacco.

He also claimed that Turkiye ranks second worldwide in terms of smoking rates.

The minister said the draft legislation is expected to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye within the next few weeks.