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Türkiye’s Health Ministry said in a written statement marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month that more than 1,910 smoking cessation clinics across the country served 356,000 people in 2026, the highest annual number on record, Anadolu Agency reported Sunday.
The ministry said lung cancer, diagnosed in about 34,000 people a year in Türkiye, ranks first among the most common cancers in men and fourth in women, as the awareness month is observed Nov. 1-30.
Describing the use of tobacco and tobacco products as the most significant and preventable risk factor for lung cancer, the statement stressed that their use, including electronic cigarettes, causes about 80%-90% of lung cancer cases.
Noting that staying away from tobacco and tobacco products is the most effective way to protect against the disease, the statement said, "Accordingly, more than 1,910 smoking cessation clinics operate across Türkiye for citizens who want to quit smoking. Within this scope, 356,000 of our citizens were served in 2026, reaching the all-time highest number of people receiving services from the clinics in a single year.”
As part of remote healthcare services, smoking cessation clinics also operate through more than 380 online clinics, the statement said, adding that the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Helpline, offering round-the-clock counseling and motivational support, has answered nearly 670,000 calls since 2025.
The statement said free medication support is provided to those deemed eligible during the quitting process, noting that more than 1.5 million people have benefited from the program at smoking cessation clinics since 2015.
Inspections targeting violations of smoke-free air zones are carried out around the clock by teams of authorized public officials in 81 provinces, the statement said, adding that the ministry also conducts the necessary inspections based on complaints submitted to the ALO 184 SABIM Tobacco Reporting Line and reports filed through the Yesil Dedektor (Green Detector) mobile app.
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