Smoking behaviour and attitudes of key at-risk groups in Turkey

Abstract

Smoking is the most important cause of death from cancer, and 40–45% of cancers in males and 30% of cancers in the whole population are caused by smoking. There is significant correlation between smoking status and the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic bronchitis. Smoking is very common in Turkey. Although the smoking rates among children, adolescents and women are relatively low, those are the main risk groups that should be protected against smoking. Cigarette smoking not only affects the smoker but other people in the same environment as well. Thus, measures have been taken during the last decade in developed countries to prevent passive exposure to smoke, and achievements were made in this respect in our country in 1996.