Turkey bans all alcohol promotion in sports

7 January 2011.Turkey's tobacco and alcohol watchdog has banned use of alcohol-related content in sports activities and sports-associated promotion campaigns, sponsorship agreements and commercials.

Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority (TAPDK) on Friday issued a by-law that set new groundrules for commercial ads, sponsorship deals and promotion campaigns in the marketing of alcoholic spirits and drinks.

TAPDK banned use of names, logos, emblems or signs in sports clubs, organizations, services or any sports activities that could be associated with alcoholic drinks and spirits.

The regulatory authority set a deadline of one year for removal of such irregularities.

The new by-law is high likely to affect Turkey's Efes Pilsen basketball team the most, a leading Turkish club which takes its name from the country's largest beer producer.