İstanbul Governor Davut Gül announced on Friday that 48 people died in 2024 from drinking bootleg alcohol, pointing to the ongoing public health threat and efforts to combat counterfeit alcohol production and sales, the Velev news website reported.
“We are determined to take stronger measures to combat the production and distribution of bootleg alcohol,” Gül said, urging citizens to avoid unverified products and report suspicious activity to the authorities.
The illegal production and sale of bootleg alcohol remain a growing concern in Turkey, where high taxes on alcoholic beverages have driven some consumers to seek cheaper, unsafe alternatives. Bootleg alcohol often contains methanol, a toxic substance that can cause severe poisoning, organ failure or death.
The government introduced a significant increase in the Special Consumption Tax on alcoholic beverages in early 2022, leading to higher prices. The taxes are considered by many in Turkey to be punitive. As most people’s incomes are not sufficient to afford alcohol, many turn to bootleg products.
Data from the Trade Ministry in March showed that a total of 7,386 liters of bootleg alcohol were seized in 2023.