Minister Memişoğlu's 'smoke-free city' initiative

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu gave important messages regarding the efforts carried out against tobacco use. Stating, "45 percent of men in Turkey smoke. I have now started this in the Ministry as well. I also said it in Artvin. There will be smoke-free cities," Memişoğlu emphasized that there will be no concessions in the fight against tobacco.

Participating in the "Anatolia Conversations" program at the Turkish Press Federation, Memişoğlu met with Federation President Sinan Burhan and members of the press to evaluate the health agenda and answer journalists' questions.

Discussing the projects carried out to reduce tobacco use, Memişoğlu said, "We are trying to direct people to the ALO 171 quitline. We provide the medication. At the same time, just like we do with weight and height checks, we will now go out into the field and explain to people why they should quit smoking, how they should quit, and how we will help them."

Minister Memişoğlu called on the media to join the fight against tobacco, saying, "45 percent of men in Turkey smoke. I have now started this in the Ministry as well. I also said it in Artvin. There will be smoke-free cities, there will be a smoke-free Ministry. I think you should start a smoke-free media campaign. Tobacco, not just cigarettes, but tobacco. All of them, electronic cigarettes, vapes, all of them are prohibited. We will absolutely not make any concessions regarding this. We are now also going to public institutions."