Tobacco use among women aged 15 and above in Türkiye has increased by 35% since 2008, rising from 15.2% to 20.6% in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Health and the Turkish Statistical Institute's (TurkStat) 2025 Türkiye Health Survey.

The overall tobacco use rate among people aged 15 and above also increased, from 31.2% in 2008 to 33.2% in 2025.

Tobacco use among men declined from 47.9% to 46% over the same period.

The male tobacco use rate stood at 41.5% in 2012 before rising to 47.4% in 2014.

Tobacco use is linked to around 25% of chronic diseases and 90% of lung cancer cases globally, according to health authorities.

Around 7 million people die from tobacco-related causes worldwide every year, including approximately 1.6 million deaths attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.

In Türkiye, tobacco is estimated to cause around 125,000 deaths annually, including 25,000 linked to secondhand smoke exposure.

Türkiye ranks first globally in the incidence of lung cancer among men and deaths caused by the disease, according to the data cited in the report.

Diseases of the circulatory, tumor and respiratory systems, conditions directly associated with smoking, accounted for 67.3% of all deaths in the country in 2024.

Exposure to tobacco smoke also affects nonsmokers, including children, young people, families and workers sharing the same environment.

Secondhand smoke exposure is associated with serious health problems, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and lung cancer.

The Health Ministry has established Tobacco Control Teams and Mobile Smoking Cessation Clinics across all provinces and districts to strengthen tobacco control, raise awareness and connect people seeking to quit smoking with physicians.

Since their establishment on Sept. 1, 2025, the teams have reached more than 1 million people, providing information about the risks of secondhand smoke exposure.

Mobile Smoking Cessation Clinics have also provided counseling services to people seeking to quit smoking.

Authorities continue guidance, awareness, and inspection activities under the country's Smoke-Free Air initiative, which aims to protect the health of the entire population, particularly people who do not use tobacco products.

Cross-provincial inspections have also been launched to strengthen cooperation between provinces, increase the effectiveness of inspections and ensure greater standardization in enforcement.

Tobacco control teams respond to reports from citizens and provide information about the health risks of secondhand smoke and the importance of smoke-free environments.

The 2024-2028 Tobacco Control Strategy and Action Plan includes measures aimed at protecting children and young people from tobacco use and preventing their access to tobacco products.

Preventive and protective training programs for students, teachers and parents are being carried out in cooperation with the Education Ministry (MEB), Türkiye Green Crescent Society (Yeşilay), Health Ministry, Council of Higher Education (YÖK), universities and the Youth and Sports Ministry.

A "Smoke-Free Campus" guide has also been prepared by the Yeşilay and YÖK to establish nationwide standards for smoke-free university campuses.

The initiative includes providing smoking cessation services on campuses, restricting areas where tobacco products can be used in indoor and outdoor spaces and reducing the visibility of tobacco products.

Authorities aim to strengthen measures protecting young people, who are considered a key target group for the tobacco industry.