Türkiye's first Family Health Center Smoking Cessation Clinic opened in Ankara

In his speech at the opening of the Smoking Cessation Clinic, which opened within the Sincan Abdurrahim Karakoç Training and Family Health Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Emin Demirkol, Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, stated that Türkiye has an exemplary health infrastructure that sets an example for the world.

Emphasizing that they are trying to place family physicians and family health centers at the very center of health in terms of protecting and improving health, Demirkol informed that the number of healthy life centers in Türkiye is approaching 400.

Demirkol explained that the Healthy Life Centers employ a wide range of health professionals, including physicians, psychologists, and dietitians. He added, "We also provide this service in Ankara as well-being centers at various locations. We are trying to define two of the three pillars of health as family health centers and healthy life centers."

Demirkol, noting the rising rates of cigarette use in Türkiye, said, "Especially with new technology, the use of e-cigarettes is a reality we cannot ignore. Considering that one in three citizens smokes and the smoking age is starting to drop, we need to launch a very important fight here."

Demirkol, recalling that new steps have been taken in the fight against tobacco, noted:

We've now increased the number of our smoking cessation clinics to 850. By the end of this year, we aim to increase the number to 1,000 across Türkiye. Our nearly 1,300 mobile teams and nearly 4,000 personnel are visiting all cafes and gathering areas in Türkiye to provide information about tobacco control to our professionals. We're not just issuing fines; we're also working to increase health literacy in this fight.

Following the speeches, Türkiye's first Family Health Center Smoking Cessation Clinic, located in the Sincan Abdurrahim Karakoç Training Family Health Center, was opened.