More Than 15 Million People Smoke in Turkey, WHO Calls for Regulation of Vaping

  Turkey has a staggering number of smokers, with at least one out of every four people smoking, and about 20 million people smoking regularly. Turkey is the world's largest per capita daily smoker, and the World Health Organization has called for regulating the use of e-cigarettes in order to reduce health hazards.

Fast FactsThe number of smokers in Turkey exceeds 15 million, according to the 2018-2033 Tobacco Control Plan, Turkish News reported.

At least one out of every four people in Turkey's total population aged 15 years and older smokes; based on this ratio, about close to 20 million people are smoking regularly.

Turkey is the world's largest per capita daily smoker, with 17.1 cigarettes per capita per day. It is followed by Greece at 15.7, Israel at 15.5, and Japan and Austria at 15.4.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for immediate action to regulate e-cigarette use in order to minimize the risk to public health. Experts have warned that the increased use of e-cigarettes, justified on the grounds of lesser harm, contains chemicals that are at least as harmful as the smoke that cigarettes can produce. They suggest that smokers should be determined to quit without trying other methods.