A decision by a Turkish court announced Monday (March 17) has blocked access to websites belonging to several major alcohol brands, including Chivas Regal, Jameson, Jack Daniel’s, Ballantine’s, Martini, and Bacardi.
| Turkey: Major alcohol brand websites blocked |
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 Websites of major alcohol brands blocked in Turkey |
The ban resulted from three separate rulings by Turkish courts following decisions by Turkey’s Tobacco and Alcohol Department. The Tobacco and Alcohol Department belongs to Turkey’s Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. Effective as of now, websites for Chivas Regal, Jameson, Jack Daniel’s, Ballantine’s, Martini, and Bacardi are inaccessible in Turkey.
The advertising of alcohol is banned in Turkey, although consumption remains legal. Despite the ban on advertising, restrictions on alcohol website access had never been implemented prior to yesterday’s ruling.
Alcohol taxes have been climbing for years in Turkey under the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. The coronavirus pandemic era saw the crackdown on alcohol consumption accelerated, and a pandemic-era late-night music ban seen as targeting the country’s nightlife industry remained in place long after other pandemic-related restrictions were lifted.
Turkey pays one of the steepest alcohol taxes in the world, which critics blame for fueling illicit production and alcohol poisoning. Just last month, dozens died in Ankara after consuming illicit alcohol, and similar stories have become commonplace in recent years.
There are also strict regulations on alcohol sales and steep taxes on alcoholic beverages, which some critics see as part of the government’s wider efforts to discourage alcohol consumption. Taxes are especially high on strong spirits like rakı and whiskey, with more than 60% of their retail price consisting of taxes.
As a result, many people have turned to homebrewing or illicit alcohol production, leading to numerous fatalities in recent months.
Furthermore, businesses selling alcohol past 10 p.m. face fines ranging from 341,000 to 1.6 million liras (approximately 9,300 to 44,000 USD). While some continue sales despite the ban, smaller establishments risk severe financial penalties.
Turkey: Major alcohol brand websites blocked
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
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