Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Turkey Against Smoking Association (TSSD), stated, “A smoke-free life is everyone’s right. Let’s break free from this harmful habit for your health and future. Quitting smoking may be difficult, but taking a step today for your health is invaluable. As a society, we can succeed in this struggle by supporting each other.”

On the occasion of November 20, World No Tobacco Day, TSSD President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın emphasized that smoking causes significant harm not only to the users but also to those around them. He noted that reducing this harm requires not only individual will but also societal support, reminding that smoking adversely affects the lives of millions of people worldwide and leads to premature deaths. “Each year, nearly 8 million people die globally from smoking-related diseases. In Turkey, thousands of our citizens lose their lives annually due to this preventable addiction. Therefore, quitting smoking is not just an individual decision; it is a step of great importance for public health,” he said.

“The entire society should support the fight against tobacco.”

Prof. Dr. Aydın pointed out that cigarette addiction leads to many chronic diseases in Turkey and creates a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. Highlighting the World Health Organization’s data, he said, “According to the organization’s data for 2024, approximately 8 million people die each year globally from tobacco-related diseases. A large portion of these losses is due to preventable health issues. Tobacco use continues to be a serious public health problem in Turkey as well. This issue has become a widespread crisis affecting all segments of society rather than being merely an individual problem. We expect support from all segments of society in the fight against tobacco,” he stated.

“We aim to raise awareness about the harms of smoking.”

Emphasizing that smoking should be addressed as a preventable public health issue, Aydın said, “It is crucial to raise awareness among all segments of society during the process of quitting smoking. We aim to keep future generations away from this harmful habit through education in schools, public awareness campaigns, and projects targeting young people. Therefore, we are conducting various activities, such as supportive programs, informative events, and public service announcements, to help individuals of all ages adopt healthy living habits. In this way, we are getting closer to our goal of a healthy society by raising awareness about the harms of smoking.”

“Deciding to quit smoking is the first step toward a healthy future.”

Prof. Dr. Aydın emphasized the importance of various services provided by public and civil society organizations that support those who want to quit smoking, stating, “We are always with individuals struggling with nicotine addiction through the support we offer in health services and awareness projects. Today, a smoker can take the first step toward a healthy future for themselves and their loved ones by deciding to quit smoking.”

“Take a step today for a smoke-free life.”

On this special day, Prof. Dr. Aydın announced that TSSD would carry out activities to raise public awareness about quitting smoking, stating, “A smoke-free life is everyone’s right. Let’s break free from this harmful habit for your health and future. Quitting smoking may be difficult, but taking a step today for your health is invaluable. As a society, we can succeed in this struggle by supporting each other.”

A smoke-free Turkey for future generations.

In his statement, Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked everyone who supports the vision of a smoke-free Turkey and continued, “On November 20, World No Tobacco Day, we invite all our citizens to take the first step toward a healthier Turkey. By taking conscious steps in our fight against smoking addiction, we can collectively build a smoke-free future. As the Turkey Against Smoking Association, we continue to encourage everyone on the path to quitting smoking, raise public awareness, and create societal consciousness for a smoke-free life on this special day.”

In line with the vision of a smoke-free society, the association aims to reach broader audiences against tobacco addiction and particularly increase awareness among the young population by 2025. The association plans to undertake comprehensive projects in collaboration with public and private sectors along this path.