New step in smoking ban coming to Parliament

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu answered questions regarding the agenda during a live broadcast on Haber Global Television.

RISE IN SMOKING

Memişoğlu recalled that a comprehensive anti-smoking campaign was carried out across Turkey in the 2010s, noting that there has been a recent resurgence in smoking rates, particularly among young people and women.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES

Stating that they are acting with a "preventive health" approach in response to this situation, Memişoğlu said they have launched a new struggle process through smoking cessation clinics and mobile anti-smoking teams. He expressed that their primary goal in the fight against tobacco is to ensure individuals quit of their own volition rather than relying on bans and penalties.

SMOKING BAN EXPANDING

Stating that they are working on a regulation aimed at reducing smoking areas and the visibility of smoking, Memişoğlu said, "We have a legislative study aimed at reducing smoking areas and images of smoking. We will submit it to Parliament as soon as possible."

GOAL OF REDUCING VISIBILITY

Memişoğlu made the following assessment regarding the scope of the prepared draft:

"We need to reduce the visibility of cigarettes. We are creating a draft law to reduce the visibility of both those who smoke and materials related to smoking. Sometimes non-smokers are also victimized. Therefore, we are in the process of preparing a comprehensive draft law on this matter. This draft law is aimed at reducing both the act of smoking and the visibility of those who smoke. We especially do not want our children and young people to perceive smoking as visible, as if it were a natural material for use."

USAGE RATES AND TARGET

Stating that tobacco use in Turkey is still at the 33 percent level, with one in every three people smoking, Memişoğlu said their goal is to cut this rate in half. Emphasizing that smoking has many negative effects ranging from lung diseases to sleep quality, and from asthma to vascular diseases, Memişoğlu noted that this is a habit and that it should be quit as a society.