Tourists urged to not drink 'suspiciously cheap alcohol' in Turkey
More than 100 people have died from poisoning by bootleg alcohol in Ankara and Istanbul this year, according to local media.
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Australian tourists have been warned to be wary of "suspiciously cheap alcohol" in Turkey following a surge in methanol poisoning cases.
Smartraveller updated its advice today urging travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" due to both the threat of terrorism and the increasing distribution of counterfeit drinks.
The drink warning specifically applies to Istanbul and Ankara.
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More than 100 people have died from poisoning by bootleg alcohol in Ankara and Istanbul this year, according to Reuters.
"There have been several recent deaths reported in Istanbul and Ankara from methanol in counterfeit drinks," the Smartraveller warning said.
"Stick to reputable venues and be wary of suspiciously cheap alcohol."
Methanol is a clear liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels.
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It's often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.
Last year, Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were among six people who were killed after drinking tainted alcohol in the tourist town of Vang Vieng in November.
The pair were on a backpacking with friends in Laos at the time.
The updated advice comes as a new travel campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol overseas, including the risks of methanol poisoning was launched by the Federal Government.
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