United against smoking

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has taken an exemplary step to raise awareness among young people about smoking addiction, launching a ‘Pass Around’ campaign on campus. As part of this initiative, students received notes with messages guiding them on how to overcome smoking addiction. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu also toured the campus, leaving messages in students' palms about smoking that read, ‘Nicotine addiction is a treatable disease. If you or your loved ones have this disease, and you wish to overcome the addiction, simply contact us through our website. We wish to live together in a healthy campus.’ Everyone on campus, after reading the message, passed it on to the next person from hand-to-hand, reaching hundreds of people in a short time.

“WE EXCEEDED 150 BILLION IN CONSUMPTION”

 Sharing striking figures regarding cigarette consumption in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Kılınç, a faculty member at IUE Faculty of Medicine, said, “The Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture annually releases the amount of tobacco products produced and consumption statistics in Turkey. Currently, 35% of our population aged 15 and over uses tobacco. In 2024, according to records, 150.4 billion cigarettes were consumed, and this figure is a record in the history of the Republic of Turkey.”

“A NEW MOBILIZATION IS NECESSARY”

Prof. Dr. Kılınç expressed his surprise at the statistical results, and stated the following: “During the 2008-2012 period, per capita consumption dropped to 1 thousand 100 units due to public service announcements and other campaigns. The latest figures indicate 1 thousand 700 units. This data suggests that the scientific methods that should have been applied as they were in the 2008-2012 period, unfortunately, have not been implemented after 2012. We have a very strong law. We have very strong regulations related to this law. In fact, if desired and applied as they should be, it is possible to reduce smoking rates among those over 15 years old back below 20%. A new resurgence and mobilization are needed in this regard.”

EMPHASIS ON ‘HEALTHY CAMPUS’

Stating that the Healthy Campus Project, which they implemented at the University, consists of components such as healthy eating, exercise, addiction combat, and stress management, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “We are striving to protect the youth as much as possible from the harms of smoking and to inform them about the harms of tobacco. The reactions of our students to our ‘Pass Around’ campaign showed us that our message resonated with the students.”

“THIS MESSAGE WILL BE EFFECTIVE”

Ege Özcan (20), a student from Department of IUE Genetics and Bioengineering expressed his positive opinion about the message received through the ‘Pass Around’ campaign. Özcan said, “It is definitely a message that should be supported. Universities and high schools should provide information about the harms of smoking and how to quit addiction. I don't smoke. I exercise and stay away from tobacco. I also try to keep my close friends away from it. I believe this message will be effective for those who cannot find a way to quit smoking or are hesitant to quit.”

Eylül İçyar (21), an IUE Elderly Care Program student, commented, “Our University provides conditions for a healthy lifestyle. We have a gym. This message will be effective for those who want to quit smoking. I don't use it, and I advise smokers to quit."