Turkish PM defends alcohol ban

PM defends alcohol ban, says gov't does not want a ‘wasted' generation

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks during a meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara on Dec. 4, 2012. (Photo: AA)

24 May 2013 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM, İSTANBUL

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has defended a bill recently adopted in Parliament which limits the sale and advertisement of alcoholic beverages across the country, saying the government does not want a “wasted” generation.

“We do not want a generation who drink day and night and who are wasted. They [youth] should be awake and equipped with knowledge. We want such a generation and we are taking steps in this regard,” Erdoğan said on Friday morning.
His remarks come hours after Parliament passed legislation to ban all advertising of alcohol and tighten restrictions on sales in the country.
The legislation, adopted on Friday, bans the sale in stores of alcoholic drinks between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. It also prohibits alcohol sales anywhere close to mosques or educational centers.
The law bars beverage companies from promoting their brands and requires the blurring of images of alcoholic drinks on television.
It also introduces stricter penalties for drunken driving.
The government says the law is aimed at protecting Turkey's youth from the harms of alcohol but secularist opponents accuse the ruling party of gradually imposing an Islamic agenda.

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