- ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey’s prime minister has defended recent increases in tax on goods from alcohol to motor vehicles as necessary to avoid economic woes like those in Greece.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday the measures were aimed at strengthening the economy amid global economic turmoil. Turkey on Thursday increased a special consumption tax it levies on alcohol and tobacco products as well as mobile phones and motor vehicles with engines larger than 1.6 liters.
The tax rate on cigarettes rose from 63 percent to 69 percent but tax went up to 130 percent from 84 percent for cars with engines larger than 2 liters.
Erdogan told Turks they would be fine if they didn’t smoke and consumed alcohol in moderation. He said such measures would help avoid the troubles of Greece.
