Professor of Health Sciences University, Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health. Dr. Toker Ergüder evaluated the preparation of the bill, which includes new restrictions on the sale and use of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Ergüder, who is also a member of the Green Crescent Scientific Board and is involved in the preparations for the new bill that is expected to be introduced to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October, pointed out that 1.2 billion people around the world smoke cigarettes.
Pointing out that approximately 7 million people die every year due to reasons related to tobacco use, Ergüder stated that tobacco use rates decreased in many countries after the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control came into force.
Reminding that Türkiye has also taken important steps in the fight against tobacco, that the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was signed in 2003, and that the regulation banning smoking in closed areas was implemented in 2008, Ergüder emphasized that an exemplary fight was displayed to the whole world.
Explaining that despite the general downward trend in the world in recent years, there has been an increase in tobacco use in Türkiye again, Ergüder pointed out the usage rates especially among women and young people.
Prof. Dr. Ergüder emphasized that smoking among women has increased significantly in the last 10-15 years and said, "The increase in the smoking rate among women is around 40-50 percent. The usage rate among women in the 15-24 age group has exceeded 90 percent." he said.
"TOBACCO BAN FOR THOSE BORN AFTER 2015" IS ON THE AGENDA
Stating that the new law proposal, which the Ministry of Health has been working on for about a year, will be presented to the Parliament in October, Ergüder said, "As a country, we need to shake up again and review the policies." he said.
Underlining that cigarette sales in Türkiye have increased in recent years, Ergüder stated that cigarette sales, which were approximately 91 thousand tons and 4.5 billion packages in 2012, reached approximately 160 thousand tons and 8 billion packages in 2025.
Ergüder stated that stronger policies should be implemented against the tobacco industry and that regulations should be made especially to protect children and women.
Prof. Dr. Ergüder said that academics and non-governmental organizations are also conducting various field research on the proposed law.
Stating that among the regulations in the draft, articles specifically aimed at protecting children and young people stand out, Ergüder said, "In order to protect children and especially our girls, the use, smoking and sale of tobacco products are banned throughout their lives for those born after January 1, 2015. It was passed in England. It is passed in many countries." he said.
"MANY COUNTRIES ANNOUNCED DATES EARLIER THAN US"
Regarding the second most important regulation in the draft, Ergüder said, "The production and sale of tobacco products are completely banned in Türkiye after 2040. I hope we will become a country where there is no smoking again. Many countries have announced earlier dates than us regarding this. Ireland, England, Finland, Australia, they are earlier than us." shared his knowledge.
Stating that there is a "lung cancer epidemic" in Türkiye, Ergüder said that nearly 35 thousand people die every year from lung cancer due to smoking, which is a preventable cause.
Prof. Dr. Ergüder noted that the Ministry of Health wants to give more emphasis to preventive health services in order to protect especially young people and children.
Stating that an important article in the draft in this context is the "health tax" planned to be introduced on cigarette packages, Ergüder stated that the money to be collected from this tax will be transferred to protective and improving services.
NEW SMOKING REGULATIONS IN RESTAURANTS, PARKS AND GARDENS
Explaining that there are regulations regarding open areas as well as closed areas in the draft, Ergüder shared the following information:
"Very important regulations are coming regarding indoor areas. Smoking is strictly prohibited in both open and closed areas of restaurants. Smoking areas will be created in parks, gardens, and gardens of public buildings, in a way that will not be visible from the outside. Those who want to smoke will be able to smoke there. I think the most important thing here is that children and young people will no longer see anyone smoking."
"ALL CIGARETTES WILL BE SOLD AS STANDARD, 'SLIM' CIGARETTES WILL BE REMOVED"
Prof. Dr. Stating that the draft will also include a regulation on cigarette packages, Ergüder said, "Standard package regulation is coming. There is such a situation here. Especially after 2012, cigarette companies started to attack women. They introduced cigarettes, which we call slim cigarettes, to the market. If the standard package application comes into force, all cigarettes will be sold as standard. Thin cigarettes, 'slim' cigarettes, will disappear. This is aimed at protecting women." made his assessment.
Ergüder said that one of the steps to be taken to protect children and young people is the identity verification system, adding: "It will be absolutely impossible for people under the age of 18 to purchase these products with a credit card." he said.
"SUPPORT FOR THE LAW IS OVER 90 PERCENT"
Ergüder noted that the tobacco control regulations enacted in 1996 and 2008 contributed to the reduction of cigarette use in Türkiye, and that the response of the new regulations in society is being investigated.
Referring to the field research conducted by the Green Crescent with approximately 7 thousand people, Ergüder stated that the support in the society for the preparations of the law is over 90 percent.
Stating that the support among smokers is approximately 60 percent, Ergüder said that this is remarkable in terms of the social approach towards tobacco control policies.
