Turkey continues its drive against the health risks of smoking as the new rule forces all tobacco products and cigarettes to bear plain and standard packages.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report said that more than 8 million people lose their lives every year because of smoking-related diseases.

Yüksel Denli, the head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Department of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, said that the new regulation is intended to eliminate the attractiveness of tobacco products and boost deterrent effects of packages by increasing visual health warnings.