Free medication support for those who want to quit smoking
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu shared details on the support provided through clinics, online services, and helplines as part of the fight against tobacco.
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Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced the latest data regarding support for citizens across Turkey who want to quit smoking. According to the post shared on Memişoğlu’s social media account, free medication support has been provided to more than 1.5 million people as part of efforts to combat tobacco use.
The program conducted by the Ministry offers face-to-face counseling, as well as online clinic services and telephone follow-up support. Counseling services have been provided to 376 thousand 158 people at 1,678 Smoking Cessation Clinics across Turkey.
Smoking cessation support can also be accessed online through the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS) at 383 centers in 81 provinces. Tobacco Control Teams are also conducting on-site information and counseling activities in public institutions.
| Service | Reported number |
|---|---|
| Smoking Cessation Clinic | 1,678 |
| People who received clinic counseling | 376,158 |
| Centers providing online services | 383 |
| Public institutions provided with on-site counseling | 920 |
| Public personnel trained | 23,115 |
| People who received free medication support | More than 1.5 million |
In the work carried out in public institutions, on-site counseling was provided in 920 institutions; information training was delivered to 23 thousand 115 public personnel. In addition, follow-up and motivational support was provided to 628 thousand 378 people through the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Counseling Line, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The ALO 191 Drug Abuse Counseling and Support Line is also active as part of addiction treatment services. Through this line, 81 thousand 398 calls were answered, and 47 thousand 338 motivational calls were made.
"Take a step today for a healthy life. Apply to our Healthy Life Centers and Counseling Lines to quit smoking and tobacco use and to receive support in the fight against addiction. Realize it before you lose it, take action for your health."