<p>​<strong style="text-align: justify;">&quot;DISINCENTIVE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN&quot;</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated &quot;With the increase in the number of smokers worldwide, the number of deaths caused by smoking is also increasing. Age of addiction is decreasing day by day in all countries. Attention must be paid to this danger. In addition to studies that raise awareness of families and youths, disincentive measures should be taken against sale of cigarettes. According to statistics of World Health Organization, it is estimated that 1 in 3 adults smoke. According to researches conducted in Turkey, 62.8% of men and 24.3% of women over the age of 15, and 43.6% of the entire population smoke. Two out of three of the world&#39;s tobacco smokers are found in only 10 countries. Turkey is at the top of these countries. After the pandemic, smoking increased and cigarette sales areas expanded. As the association, we started preparations for cigarette sales areas to be within certain rules and to make access to tobacco difficult.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>&quot;WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THE QUESTION HOW, NOT WHY.&quot;</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın remarked &quot;TSSD investigates reasons for the increase in smoking rates. Nicotine is a substance which causes addiction with different aspects such as chemical, psychological and social addiction. In order to make people quit smoking, first of all, the reasons why they smoke should be investigated and we should explain &#39;how to quit&#39; rather than &#39;why to quit&#39;. Everyone knows the harms of smoking and despite knowing these, they continue to smoke. The important thing is to show people the way out of this. When we examine the causes of smoking addiction, especially psychologists have an important role, pioneering studies should be carried out on this subject.&quot;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Aydın emphasized &quot;Even if smoking is prohibited indoors, tightened controls are necessity and disincentive punishments should be implemented. With this application, violation of bans on smoking will be prevented, and it will have a disincentive effect on cigarette addicts. Honorary cigarette inspectors must have the authority to impose fines and take legal action in coordination with law enforcement. Today, our sensitive citizens are already complaining to the necessary authorities when the smoking ban is violated. An honorary inspector that does not have these powers cannot go beyond the individuals who make these notifications officially.&quot;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated &quot;In addition to packaged cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and similar products on the market are also wrong. Researches show that these products are also harmful so they should be examined. TSSD will not hesitate to lead the disincentive works related to the sale of these products.&quot;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&#160;</p><p>&#160;</p><p><br/></p>