Turkey introduces warning labels for alcoholic drinks, including 'Alcohol is not your friend'

August 12, 2013 at 3:45PM

ANKARA, Turkey — Bottles and cans of alcohol sold in Turkey must soon bear warnings similar to those on cigarette packages, including the phrase "Alcohol is not your friend."

The new regulations about the labels result from a law passed in May that restricts the sale and advertising of alcohol.

The law was one reason a wave of anti-government protests hit Turkey in June.

Demonstrators served it up as an example of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan overstepping his authority and imposing his Islamist views on a country with a strong secular history.

The labels also must indicate that only people over the age of 18 can consume alcohol and warn pregnant women and drivers not to drink.

Companies have 10 months to comply with the regulations, which were released Sunday.

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