In the World Tobacco Epidemic Report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Turkey, along with the Netherlands, Brazil, and Mauritius, ranks among the leading countries in the fight against smoking. The President of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, commented on Turkey’s success and stated, “We will continue the fight.”
According to the World Tobacco Epidemic Report prepared by the World Health Organization, Turkey is one of the most successful countries in the fight against smoking. Alongside Turkey, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Mauritius are the countries that have best implemented the six measures identified by the WHO. Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, who has been working to raise public awareness about quitting smoking for years, said, “We are starting to reap the fruits of our long-standing struggle. This is a proud situation.”
Assoc. Dr. Aydın expressed that non-smokers are poisoned through passive smoking, stating, “The greatest harm is actually suffered by passive smokers, and their right to clean air is violated. The measures taken show that more people are protected from the harms of tobacco products. Tobacco and tobacco products kill more than 8 million people every year, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Thanks to the efforts of both our government and various civil society organizations, a significant awareness has been created in our society, and this success is a reflection of that.”
“A promising result for protecting the health of future generations”
Assoc. Dr. Aydın noted that approximately 8 million people die each year due to tobacco use worldwide, stating, “This result, which encourages us all, shows that there has been a significant decline in the use of cigarettes, one of the biggest threats to the world’s population, thanks to the steps we have taken. This outcome is a major success, especially in terms of protecting the health of future generations, and it is also a great gain for our country.”
Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın emphasized that while the report published by the WHO is important, the fight against smoking must continue with determination. He said, “Our struggle must continue. Effective tobacco prevention programs should be implemented. Schools should be the first places to increase these efforts, as they provide easy access to all young people. All organizations should support education, awareness, and consciousness-raising activities within the framework of common sense,” emphasizing that the fight against smoking is a long-term process and added, “We will continue the fight until the last molecule of tobacco is gone.”