Türkiye's Ministry Of Finance Investigates Illegal E-cigarette Transactions Worth $8.5 Million

Türkiye's Ministry of Finance investigates illegal e-cigarette transactions worth $8.5 million

The Tax Inspection Bureau of the Turkish Ministry of Finance found illegal e-cigarette transactions worth about $8.5 million, and the Minister of Finance stressed that the fight against the black market will be intensified and the ban on e-cigarettes will be strictly enforced.

According to T24 on January 19, the Tax Inspection Bureau (VDK) of the Turkish Ministry of Finance found illegal e-cigarette transactions worth 300 million liras (8.5 million U.S. dollars) during the inspection.

According to sources in the ministry, the Tax Inspection Bureau launched an investigation specifically targeting e-cigarettes and analyzed financial transactions of more than 20 billion liras (560 million U.S. dollars) and checked the business behavior of more than 50,000 taxpayers. Finally, the bureau found illegal e-cigarette transactions worth 300 million liras (8.5 million U.S. dollars).

Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said in response to the incident: "We will further intensify the crackdown on the black market economy, including a variety of products and industries, this year. We will never compromise in this fight to improve the effectiveness and fairness of taxation."

According to relevant regulations, all bans on cigarettes and other tobacco products also apply to e-cigarettes. Advertising, promotion and sales to minors under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited.