A change to the law has slipped through the Turkish parliament, while the arguments over corruption and tapes has been hitting all the headlines. Apparently it was put though during an evening session on February the 27th but has just come to light as preparations begin to enforce the ban. It is a new Law, Yasağı Kanunu 1414, which roughly translates that the sale of duty free alcohol at all Turkish Airports and border crossings is to cease as from midday tomorrow. Today staff are preparing to remove alcohol from all the duty free shops.
The Prime Minister is quoted as saying "....Why should foreigners not pay taxes? All people of New Turkey should pay their dues, no matter whether they live here or are just visiting. Why should foreigners have perks that Turkish people do not have? This is a just society where everyone abides by tax laws. This is a corrupt practice and it will now cease."
A European Accessions Minister, Dr Erick Popurane, has stated that Europe does not have a problem with this as Duty Free items have ceased to be in existence across Europe for a number of years. He sees this as a positive move by Turkey.
Turkish pundits have said that the law is broadly worded and as such they expect the ban to widen and include cigarettes, tobacco and perfume in the near future.
A sad day for holiday makers. Tourist industry will take a nose dive.
