Voicing his happiness to host children from different regions of the world in Istanbul, President Erdoğan said: “I hope the World No Tobacco Day events will contribute to raising awareness about the harms of tobacco products.” “With a volume of billions of dollars, the tobacco industry targets all segments of our society, especially our children. By introducing new products and taking advantage of legal loopholes, the tobacco industry is adding to its profits at the expense of people's lives,” President Erdoğan said. “Every day, 20 thousand people lose their lives in the world due to smoking-related diseases. In our country, we are losing 85 thousand people to tobacco every year; tobacco not only poisons people, but also pollutes our world. Approximately half of the children on earth have to breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 toxic and carcinogenic substances. The toxins and other carcinogens in tobacco products spread into the air, creating a polluted environment for those close to the smoker. The situation of those who do not use tobacco but are exposed to it, i.e. passive smokers, is worse and more dire. Despite all these harms of smoking, the tobacco industry continues to grow and earn $700 billion every year,” President Erdoğan said. “WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FIGHT AGAINST THIS INSIDIOUS MENACE” “Our nation knows very well the struggle I have been waging against smoking since my youth,” President Erdoğan said. “I have openly warned everyone who uses tobacco, starting from my close circle, against the harms of this poison.” “We work to raise awareness among young people against smoking addiction through various activities we organize,” President Erdoğan said. “We have taken very important steps ranging from the ban on smoking indoors to higher fines and taxes. We have ensured that health warnings are more visible and effective on cigarette packs. We have tried to raise public awareness with the ‘Smoke-Free Zone’ and ‘Protect Your Air’ campaigns. Our governments have carried out the most effective and decisive struggle against tobacco products. As a result of our uncompromising stance, we are pleased to observe that there has been some decline, albeit a small one, in smoking in our country. I believe that all our citizens and all humanity should be on the alert against this insidious menace. Inshallah, we will continue our fight in a more determined and multidimensional manner.”