Key Points:
·Pilot program in Turkey's Artvin province implements a full ban on smoking in public institutions, provides support for smoking cessation, and strictly regulates e-cigarettes.
·Policy background: National smoking control law has been in effect since 2009, with plans to launch the "Smoke-Free Turkey" national movement by 2025, and experiences from the pilot program are intended to be implemented nationwide.
·Industry attitudes: The Turkish Anti-Smoking Association describes the pilot program as a "historic step for public health."
·Tobacco harm: Causes approximately $20 billion in losses annually, accounting for nearly one-tenth of healthcare expenditures; the smoking rate among individuals aged 15 and older is 34.8%, resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths per year.
According to Hurriyet Daily News on August 19, Turkey has designated its northern province of Artvin as a pilot area for the new "smoke-free city" project, which is part of the country's broader efforts to curb tobacco use and protect public health.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that all public institutions in Artvin province will be completely smoke-free, and additional support will be provided for residents seeking to quit smoking, including free medication and a smoking cessation hotline.
He also added that the project will impose strict regulation on disposable e-cigarettes.
Turkey introduced nationwide anti-smoking legislation for the first time in 2009, banning smoking in enclosed spaces such as restaurants, cafes, and workplaces.
The government now aims to implement city-wide measures based on this framework, with plans to eventually expand it to other regions nationwide.
Within this scope, 2025 will mark the 16th anniversary of the implementation of the country's smoking ban law, and the Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign with the theme of "Smoke-Free Turkey.
Professor Mustafa Aydın, chairman of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, welcomes the new initiative of a "smoke-free city" and describes it as a "historic step in the field of public health.
Edin stated that tobacco consumption causes approximately $20 billion in losses for Turkey each year, accounting for nearly one-tenth of total healthcare expenditures.
Smoking is no longer a personal choice, but a social crisis," said Aidin, who also warned that tobacco addiction can lead to heart disease, cancer, and chronic illnesses.
He emphasized that raising awareness and strengthening enforcement are key to reducing tobacco use, especially among youth who are increasingly becoming target audiences for flavored e-cigarettes and online marketing.
Aiden expressed that Altun as the first "smoke-free city" will set an example for other provinces.
If local authorities, civil society, and citizens act together, smoke-free Turkey will not just be a dream, but a achievable goal.
According to a study conducted in 2023, 34.8% of the population in Turkey aged 15 and above use tobacco products.
In Turkey alone, nearly 100,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases.
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