Turkey’s Fight Against Smoking Association President Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated that they support the decision made by the UK in the fight against smoking and noted that similar measures could be implemented in Turkey.

The UK government approved a bill that bans access to cigarettes for those born after January 1, 2009, as part of its initiative to create a “smoke-free generation.” The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes to young people who turn 15 this year for their entire lives. Addressing this issue, Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Turkey Fight Against Smoking Association (TSSD), said, “We support this decision made to protect the health of future generations. Our goal at TSSD is to ensure that young people never encounter smoking. It is crucial to raise awareness and educate communities, in addition to the measures that governments will take to protect future generations.”

The Economic Damage is Significant

Assoc. Dr. Aydın expressed that the damage caused by smoking to human health and the environment is enormous, stating, “The extent of the damage caused by smoking to human health and our nature is very significant. Moreover, the economic impact is an undeniable reality.” He continued:

“Tobacco companies are increasing their profits every year. We’re talking about a market worth 1 trillion dollars. The cost to our country alone exceeds 120 billion liras. This is a very serious figure. It is essential to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by smoking to both health and the economy together.”

This Decision Should Be a Model for the Whole World

Assessing the UK government’s decision to ban the sale of cigarettes to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, with the aim of raising “clean-lunged generations” and adding a new age group to this list each year, Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated, “Finally, I would like to emphasize that the age of starting to smoke has dropped to 11 in recent years, making this problem not just a local issue but a universal one. Therefore, governments, non-governmental organizations, and opinion leaders must work together. The decision taken by the UK government and lawmakers for future generations is a landmark. Everyone should follow this path. My hope is that humanity will swiftly rid itself of the smoking scourge, and this decision will serve as an example to the whole world.”