In Türkiye, between 2008 and 2025, the rate of tobacco and tobacco product use among women increased from 15.2 percent to 20.6 percent, while it decreased from 47.9 percent to 46 percent among men.
The total tobacco use rate in Türkiye, which was 31.2 percent in 2008, increased to 33.2 percent in 2025.
During this period, the rate of tobacco use in men decreased from 47.9 percent to 46 percent, while tobacco use in women increased by 35 percent in 17 years, from 15.2 percent to 20.6 percent.
In the file, which discusses the changes in tobacco use rates in Türkiye over the years and studies to prevent tobacco use, the data of the Ministry of Health and the results of the 2025 Turkey Health Survey of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) were compiled.
According to the information obtained, the rate of tobacco product use in the population aged 15 and over was calculated as 46 percent for men and 20.6 percent for women.
The rate of tobacco use among men was recorded as 41.5 percent in 2012 and 47.4 percent in 2014.
67.3 PERCENT OF ALL DEATHS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO SMOKING
It is known that tobacco use is responsible for approximately 25 percent of chronic diseases and 90 percent of lung cancers in the world. While 7 million people die every year in the world due to tobacco, 1.6 million of these deaths are caused by passive smoking.
In Türkiye, approximately 125 thousand people die every year due to tobacco, 25 thousand of which are caused by passive smoking.
Türkiye ranks first in the world in the incidence of lung cancer and related deaths in men. According to 2024 data, 67.3 percent of all deaths are caused by circulatory, tumor and respiratory system diseases that are directly related to smoking.
Exposure to tobacco smoke affects not only those who use tobacco products, but also children, youth, families and employees who share the same environment.
This exposure is associated with serious health problems, especially cardiovascular diseases, respiratory system diseases and lung cancer.
ANTI TOBACCO TEAMS REACHED MORE THAN 1 MILLION CITIZENS
Tobacco Fighting Teams and Mobile Smoking Cessation Polyclinics, activated by the Ministry of Health in all provinces and districts, carry out activities to activate the fight against tobacco, raise awareness and bring together citizens who want to quit smoking with physicians.
The teams formed as of September 1, 2025 have reached more than 1 million citizens to date and provided information about passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
Consultancy services were also offered to citizens who wanted to quit smoking at Mobile Smoking Cessation Polyclinics.
CROSS INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN STARTED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SMOKE-FREE AIRSPACE
Guidance, information, awareness and control activities are continuing within the scope of the Smoke-Free Airspace application to protect the health of the entire society, especially those who do not use tobacco products.
In order to strengthen the effectiveness of inspections and standardization in practice, cross-inspections were initiated by increasing cooperation between provinces.
Through studies carried out in the field, citizens are informed about the harms of passive exposure and the importance of smoke-free environments.
Notifications from citizens are evaluated and intervention is carried out by tobacco control teams.
TRAININGS ARE CONDUCTED TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM TOBACCO PRODUCTS
The 2024-2028 Tobacco Control Strategy Document and Action Plan includes the title "Protecting Children and Youth from the Use of Tobacco Products and Preventing Their Accessibility".
In this context, protective and preventive training for students, teachers and parents is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education, the Turkish Green Crescent Society, the Ministry of Health, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), universities and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
A "SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS" GUIDE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR UNIVERSITIES
In order to implement the "Smoke-Free Campus" application at the national level in universities, a set of criteria, application principles and a guide were prepared in cooperation with the Turkish Green Crescent Society and YÖK.
The aim of the application is to provide smoking cessation services on university campuses, limit the use of tobacco products in indoor and outdoor areas, and prevent the visibility of tobacco products.
These studies aim to strengthen practices aimed at protecting young people, who are the target audience of the tobacco industry.
