Cevdet Yılmaz says 1 million more will receive free cessation treatment

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced at the 11th European Conference on Tobacco Control in Istanbul that another 1 million citizens will have access to free smoking cessation treatment in the coming period. Yılmaz also outlined measures including adolescent clinics in every province, smoke-free school zones and regulations for novel nicotine products.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced that another 1 million citizens will have access to free smoking cessation treatment in the coming period. Speaking at the 11th European Conference on Tobacco Control organized in Istanbul under the auspices of the Presidency, Yılmaz said services would be expanded to every province and that new regulations were being prepared to protect children from nicotine.

Yılmaz outlined the new targets as follows: "In the coming period, we will ensure that another 1 million citizens have access to free smoking cessation treatment. In addition, we will provide outpatient clinic services for adolescents in every province and expand specialized support for pregnant women." Yılmaz said preparations were underway to make school surroundings, children's parks and sports grounds smoke-free, and to restrict smoking to designated areas in public institutions, universities and healthcare facilities. The regulation of novel nicotine products, age verification at points of sale and the prevention of online promotion are also on the agenda.

Cevdet Yılmaz at the podium at the 11th European Conference on Tobacco Control in Istanbul

The conference was organized by the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP), with the Türkiye Green Crescent Society and the International Green Crescent Federation serving as hosts. This year's theme was "protecting children from nicotine addiction." Yılmaz began his speech by conveying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's greetings and said the meeting was strengthening international solidarity in the fight against tobacco.

Number of clinics reaches 1,910

Yılmaz said 1,322 new smoking cessation clinics had opened since 2024, bringing the total to 1,910. He noted that treatment had also been provided at 709 family medicine units since 2025, increasing access in rural areas. According to figures provided by Yılmaz, 383 online centers are serving all 81 provinces, and this support is also being delivered to correctional institutions. There are 18 clinics for adolescents, while the first clinic for pregnant women opened at Etlik City Hospital.

Yılmaz said tobacco control teams and mobile clinics had reached more than 1 million people in squares, parks, campuses and marketplaces. He added that more than 411,000 people seeking to quit smoking had been directed to ALO 171, while more than 236,000 had been referred to counseling services. Medication used in treatment is provided to citizens free of charge.

“Alarm” warning for young people

Reminding the audience that tobacco causes the deaths of more than 8 million people worldwide each year, Yılmaz said more than half of users began when they were 18 or younger. Citing the Turkish Statistical Institute's Türkiye Health Survey, Yılmaz said tobacco use among people aged 15 to 24 had risen by 44 percent between 2012 and 2025, adding, "Of course, this is an alarming figure for us." Yılmaz also warned against strategies targeting young people through flavorings and digital platforms.

Yılmaz recalled that Türkiye became the first country to implement all six of the World Health Organization's (WHO) MPOWER measures at the highest level in 2013. He said President Erdoğan had been honored by the WHO with special recognition in 2010 and 2013 for his work in this field.

Cevdet Yılmaz in a commemorative photo with students and guests attending the conference

Associate Professor Mehmet Dinç, president of the Türkiye Green Crescent Society, emphasized that the legal status of cigarettes does not mean they are harmless. Dinç said, "Türkiye has made significant progress in the fight against tobacco, but our work is not yet finished." Students attending the conference also presented flowers to Yılmaz and posed for a commemorative photo with him.

Call 171 for free support

According to information on the Health Ministry's ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Advice Line website, people who decide to quit smoking can call 171 and receive support from trained operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People who make a quitting plan are contacted at regular intervals for follow-up. The Central Hospital Appointment System can be used via 182 to book a clinic appointment, and people can also apply directly to the nearest smoking cessation clinic. Information on smoking cessation clinics and medication distribution centers is available at alo171.saglik.gov.tr.

Photos: AA

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms

Cevdet Yılmaz says 1 million more will receive free cessation treatment