Article updated - new law partially suspended: The Turkish government, through the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Agency, or TAPDK, controls the supply of alcohol in Turkey.

New laws, restricting access to alcohol for young adults have been in the news recently. 

At the recent Grand Prix in Istanbul, when 23 year old Sebastian Vettel won the race, it was widely reported that he was told he could not drink champagne on the winner's podium, because he was too young.

Some people now believe, wrongly, that you must be at least 24 years old to drink alcohol in Turkey.  In this article we explain what is going on.

If you come to Kalkan and wish to have a drink in town, or buy alcohol from a shop or supermarket, you must be 18 years old.  This is the same as in the UK.

Article update - Wednesday 25th May: KTLN has now learned that the new law has been partially suspended, including the requirement for drinkers to be aged 24 or over, at organised events.  See the following report in the Hurriyet: Hurriyet Daily News report

In our orignal report on Monday 23rd May, KTLN told you that there were new restrictions on advertising, and on giving out free alcohol, at events such as galas, openings, weddings and cocktail party receptions.  As things stood, at such events, where alcohol was served, drinkers needed to be at least 24 years old.

As Sebastian Vettel was given his champers at the Grand Prix event, by a sponsor, technically the 23 year old was too young to drink it.

So is this all a storm in a tea cup?  Probably.  It's certainly not an issue that should concern too many KTLN readers.  According to the latest annual KTLN Kalkan survey in February 2011, 98% of people coming to Kalkan are aged 30 or over.

Something to consider if you are in Kalkan on Sunday 12th June 2011 - this is the day of elections to the national parliament.  In theory all alcohol sales are banned on this day, although in practice, non-Turkish people, (i.e. those who are not voting) can usually carry on as normal.  

One interesting fact that we discovered when researching the law on drinking alcohol in Turkey, is that no alcohol may be sold or consumed, within 100 metres of a mosque or a school. 

Has anyone got a tape measure?

KTLN - your window on Kalkan Turkey.