Plain Packaging For Tobacco Products Under Turkish Law

Arguably, plain packaging legislation to tobacco undermines the objective of trademarks. The possibility of legislatively mandated plain packaging for tobacco products in Turkey also raises legal issues with how such restrictions would fit into the existing legislative framework. Specifically, those provisions which protect intellectual property and commercial stability under the Turkish Constitution, as well as the criteria for third parties to initiate cancellation actions based on non-use.

What is plain packaging legislation?

In general terms, plain packaging legislation for tobacco products requires all tobacco packaging to be the same color, with text being the same size, style and color. The intention is to prevent consumers becoming familiar with and recognizing tobacco brands, as well as decreasing competition and preventing promotion of tobacco companies via packaging.