Turkey’s growing bootlegging problem

I have seen news of more deaths and asked Perplexity to compile relevant data:

Turkey has been grappling with a significant bootlegging problem in recent years, driven by several factors:

High Alcohol Taxes

The Turkish government has dramatically increased taxes on alcoholic beverages, making them unaffordable for many:

• Special Consumption Tax on alcohol was established in 2002 and significantly increased in 2010[4]
• Between 2013 and 2020, the average price of rakı (Turkey’s national drink) increased by 359%, far exceeding the 213% inflation rate[4]
• As of 2020, taxes accounted for over 70% of alcohol prices[8]

These high taxes have pushed many consumers towards cheaper, illegal alternatives.

Bootleg Production and Smuggling

The high prices have fueled a boom in illegal alcohol production and smuggling:

• Authorities have conducted large-scale operations against bootleg liquor production rings[7]
• In 2023, police seized over 30,000 liters of smuggled liquor in raids across Turkey[2]
• Bootleggers often use methyl alcohol (methanol) instead of ethanol to cut costs, which can be extremely dangerous[1]

Health Consequences

The consumption of bootleg alcohol has led to numerous deaths and injuries:

• In October 2020, at least 63 people died across 10 Turkish provinces from methyl alcohol poisoning in less than two weeks[1]
• In December 2021, at least 84 deaths were reported due to tainted alcohol consumption[5]
• As recently as November 2024, 3 people died and 8 were hospitalized in Istanbul after drinking toxic counterfeit alcohol[5]

Government Response

Turkish authorities have attempted to combat the problem through:

• Increased raids and arrests of suspected bootleggers[2][5]
• Seizures of counterfeit alcohol and production materials[5]
• Stricter regulations on alcohol sales and advertising[4]

However, these efforts have had limited success in curbing the black market.

Broader Context

The bootlegging issue is part of a larger debate in Turkey about alcohol policies:

• Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population, with 83% of Turks being teetotal[4]
• The conservative government has taken a stance against alcohol consumption[2]
• Critics argue that the high taxes and restrictions are pushing people towards dangerous alternatives[1][8]

Despite government efforts, the bootleg alcohol trade continues to pose a significant public health risk in Turkey, driven by high taxes and economic factors.

Citations:

1. Pandemic’s Deadly Side Effect: Global Rise in Bootleg Alcohol Poisonings – The World
2. At Least 25 People Die of Adulterated Alcohol Poisoning in Turkey – Euronews
3. Greece-Turkey Migration Talks and Coast Guard Updates – AP News
4. Alcohol Laws of Turkey – Wikipedia
5. 3 Dead, 8 Hospitalized from Bootleg Alcohol Poisoning in Istanbul – Turkish Minute
6. Türkiye: Revised Version, May 2024 – Council of Europe
7. Fake Alcohol Discussion – Marmaris Forum on TripAdvisor
8. Turkey: Dozens Dead in Bootleg Alcohol Poisoning – DW
9. Bootleg Alcohol Poisoning in Turkey – BBC News
10. Turkey’s War on Tobacco, Alcohol, and E-Cigarettes: A Losing Battle – Brussels Morning