Turkey launches 'no-tobacco' campaign to reduce smoking

The Turkish Ministry of Health has launched a new national campaign called "Tobacco-Free Turkey" as part of its ongoing efforts to combat tobacco addiction, one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, including in Turkey.[1]This is part of a broader regulatory plan to reduce smoking, for which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has mobilized young people, the main target of the tobacco and nicotine industry.

"Tobacco-Free Türkiye," a government campaign to encourage people to quit smoking

President Erdoğan recalled that nearly 8 million people worldwide die each year from tobacco-related diseases, including 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. In Turkey, approximately 100,000 preventable premature deaths are attributed to tobacco use each year.

He emphasized the government's commitment to creating a tobacco-free generation, highlighting several measures available to smokers to help them quit: 671 smoking cessation consultation centers operating nationwide, more than 3.8 million consultations already carried out, and more than 1.5 million people who have benefited from free medical support, including medication and nicotine replacement therapy.

The ALO 171 smoking cessation hotline offers personalized support. Awareness campaigns are also conducted through various media (public service announcements, social media, educational activities) to encourage people to quit smoking.

Promising results, still expected to intensify

According to the ministry's data, a significant increase in requests for cessation assistance has been observed. During a previous campaign phase entitled "Stop smoking, change your life," organized between May 20 and July 10, 2025, nearly 189,000 tobacco users were contacted, of which more than 168,000 were referred to specialized clinics.[2].

Compared to the same period last year, requests increased by 85%. To increase accessibility, counseling services have been set up in several public institutions, with remote support options for those unable to attend consultations in health facilities.

The campaign is part of a broader regulatory action plan

This initiative is part of an updated overall strategy to reduce tobacco consumption. It thus refers to the national tobacco control policy that has been in place for 16 years and is now based on a 2024–2028 action plan. This comprehensive strategy aims to reduce smoking rates, raise public awareness of health risks, and provide support, particularly for young people, to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco.

President Erdoğan also highlighted the dangers of smoking during a meeting with young people and athletes held at the Dolmabahçe work office in Istanbul. The event marked the anniversary of the Law on the Prevention and Combating of the Harmful Effects of Tobacco Products (Law No. 4207), adopted on July 19, 2009, banning smoking in enclosed spaces in all buildings, whether public, private, or recreational.[3], in order to protect non-smokers and smokers from exposure to passive smoking and denormalize the consumption of these products.

Adopted in 1996 and strengthened in 2008, this law also limits tobacco advertising, imposes health warnings on packaging and supports smoking cessation.

The President highlighted the government's efforts to maintain strict enforcement of the smoking ban regulations. More than 42 million inspections were conducted by provincial health directorates, and 3,718 violations were recorded during cross-inspections during 2025. Citizens can report violations via the SABIM 184 hotline and mobile applications, allowing the community to participate in enforcing the measures.

At the event, young people from various fields (sport, health, environment) took the floor to express their concerns and make proposals, such as banning smoking on beaches and in stadiums, raising the legal purchasing age to 21, combating tobacco promotion on social media, and making the industry accountable for its environmental impacts.

Some have also warned about the widespread use of e-cigarettes among teenagers. Others, like swimmer Beliz Çakar, have called for clean air to become a social norm.

President Erdoğan concluded by stating that the government will continue this struggle with the active support of youth: “ Turkey's century will be built on health, clean air, and strong minds. ".

Turkey, according to the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2025, is among the countries recently distinguished with Brazil, Mauritius and the Netherlands for having implemented the entire MPOWER program (Monitoring, Protecting, Offering, Warning, Enforcing, Raising), which aims to reduce global tobacco consumption through several key measures. However, this does not mean that the country is completely protected from the tobacco and nicotine industry, as the WHO recently called for a ban on cigarette filters, which in Istanbul are responsible for significant microplastic pollution.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Hurriyet Daily News, Türkiye launches 'smoke-free' campaign to curb tobacco use, published July 21, 2025, accessed July 22, 2025

[2]En.haberler.com, President Erdoğan meets with young people! The agenda includes the fight against tobacco., published July 19, 2025, accessed July 22, 2025

[3]Daily Sabah, President Erdoğan renews tobacco fight alongside young leaders, published July 20, 2025, accessed July 22, 2025

National Committee Against Smoking |