Turkey bans alcohol advertising, forbids flight attendants from wearing red lipsticks

Turkey has banned alcohol advertising and increased restrictions on alcohol sales today in a move likely to anger secularists who accuse the government of having an Islamic agenda.

It follows the move earlier this month forbidding female flight attendants at Turkey’s national airline from wearing red lipstick and nail polish.

The sale of alcohol – which Islam forbids followers from consuming – will be outlawed from 10pm to 6am. Alcohol producers will have to place health warnings on packaging.

The law, which needs presidential approval before coming into effect, also bans alcohol-producing companies from sponsoring events.

A shopkeeper displays a selection of Turkish alcoholic drinks - which have now been restricted - in his store

A shopkeeper displays a selection of Turkish alcoholic drinks – which will be restricted – in his store

Venues where alcohol is sold and consumed can no longer openly display drinks.

Turkey is 99 per cent Muslim, but the NATO state and European Union candidate has a secular constitution.

There have been concerns in recent years that an increasingly wealthy but pious middle-class is emerging in Turkey that wants to practise its religion more freely.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party, which traces its roots to a banned Islamic party, has also come under strong pressure from grassroots supporters  to relax the state’s control over the expression of religion.

Such restrictions were aimed at reining in Islamism and improving women’s rights, but effectively prevented many devout women from studying at university or taking government jobs.

Mr Erdogan, whose wife Emine wears a headscarf, has previously said he is committed to secularism, but does not believe it should be at the expense of those who want to express their religious beliefs.

Critics of the ruling AK Party say it is responsible for Islamism taking root in Turkey.

Mr Erdogan’s government denies those accusations. It says it is not trying to limit people’s freedoms but aims to bring Turkey, which wants to join the European Union, up to European standards by tightening restrictions on the sale of alcohol and protecting the young.

Since coming to power in 2002, the ruling party has taken various measures to limit alcohol consumption, including imposing high taxes on alcoholic drinks.

National carrier Turkish Airlines has stopped serving alcohol on some domestic flights.

Sales of alcoholic drinks, displayed in a shop in Istanbul above, will be banned from 10pm to 6am

Sales of alcoholic drinks, displayed in a shop in Istanbul above, will be banned from 10pm to 6am

 

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is committed to secularism
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is committed to secularism

Read more: Daily Mail

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