'High taxes on alcoholic beverages lead to consumption of bootleg alcohol, deaths'

Photo: AA/File

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High tax rates imposed on alcoholic beverages and restrictions on ethyl alcohol sales lead to an increase in methyl alcohol consumption in the country, according to the Turkish Medical Association (TTB).

At least 65 people have died of alcohol poisoning in 10 provinces since October 9, the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. The police have detained dozens of people and confiscated nearly 2,000 liters of methyl alcohol, according to AA.

While Turkey is the country with the lowest alcohol consumption in Europe, alcohol poisoning has been increasing "like an epidemic," said the TTB.

Methyl alcohol, or methanol, is produced by the distillation of wood chips and used in the production of solvents, machine fluids, antifreeze and glass cleaners, it noted.

"Bans, high tax increases and obstacles trigger bootleg production and alcohol poisoning becomes inevitable," it said, adding that alcohol poisoning has now become a public health problem.

Among European countries, Turkey ranks third in the list of countries with the highest alcoholic drink prices, said the TTB, citing Eurostat.

"Those who consume alcohol may turn to home production and businesses with alcohol service may turn to illegal sources. According to the 2019 Court of Accounts report, the use of ethyl alcohol has increased by 448 percent in six years," it said.

The rate of special consumption tax for alcoholic beverages has increased by 443 percent since 2010, according to a report by daily Sözcü.

The TTB said that the policies to prevent the damage related to alcohol consumption should be determined in accordance with public health rather than increasing indirect tax rates. (EKN/VK)