Minister Memişoğlu: Turkey ranks second in the world in cigarette consumption

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu shared striking data regarding cigarette consumption in Turkey during a meeting with health reporters in Istanbul. Memişoğlu stated that Turkey ranks second in the world in smoking rates.

Pointing to the role of smoking in causes of illness and death, Memişoğlu said, "The main cause of diseases accounting for over 50 percent of our deaths is smoking, physical inactivity, and weight."

Minister Memişoğlu noted that 34.7 percent of deaths are caused by circulatory system diseases, and 16 percent are caused by benign and malignant tumors. Stating that ischemic heart diseases make up 42 percent of circulatory system diseases, Memişoğlu reported that respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and laryngeal cancer stand out among tumors.

Stating that 46 percent of men in Turkey smoke, Memişoğlu said, "We are in second place in the world; our position in the top three changes. We say 'nothing will happen to us,' but it does. We regret it after it happens."

Memişoğlu announced that 8 billion packs of cigarettes were sold in Turkey last year, emphasizing that this is not an acceptable situation. The Minister said that people need to be motivated to reduce cigarette consumption and that the demand for health must be increased.