Turkey introduces novel alcohol warnings

Turkey is introducing novel warnings on bottles containing alcoholic beverages in a bid to reduce the use of alcohol in the country.

A government agency regulating the market of alcohol and tobacco products has issued a new ordinance regarding the labeling of alcoholic beverages.

This includes 3 symbols designating that the beverage is to be consumed only by persons over 18, and that it is forbidden for pregnant women and drivers.

Below the three signs the inscription "Alcohol Is Not Your Friend" must follow.

The new regulation applies to all alcoholic beverages, including beer, and will become fully effective within 10 months.

The government of long time Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long sought to limit the consumption of alcohol, a policy seen by critics as only a continuation of his pro-Islamist lines.

The issue of the freedom to drink alcohol or not was brought up by ongoing anti-Erdogan protests in Turkey that started end of May by as the Occupy Gezi movement, but spread throughout the country to express discontent with what many see as anti-democratic trends in Erdogan's rule.

Adapted from novinite.com