Global Adult Tobacco Survey Funded By Bloomberg Philanthropies Shows 1.2 Million Fewer Smokers in Turkey

The Government of Turkey today announced the results of the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which shows significant declines in tobacco use among adults in the country. Turkey is a global leader in the implementation of MPOWER leading to 1.2 million fewer adult smokers in Turkey. The 2012 survey found 14.8 million Turkish adult tobacco users, a decline from 16 million in the 2008 survey.

“Turkey has been a leader in tobacco control over the past 5 years, putting in place proven policies to reduce tobacco use,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and Mayor of New York City. “This new data shows that the government’s actions–as well as those of the tobacco control movement–have reduced the number of adult smokers and saved lives. I want to congratulate the Turkish government on taking these important steps to counter the deadly epidemic of tobacco use.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies supports GATS implementation with its partners the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation and the World Health Organization. To date, GATS surveys have been completed in 19 countries, representing more than 750 million people.

The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use aims to reduce tobacco use by supporting the World Health Organization’s MPOWER policies which include: Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco, Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and Raising taxes on tobacco.

GATS was implemented by the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkstat) under the coordination of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed $600 million since 2007 to combat tobacco use worldwide. More than one billion people are now protected with smoke-free legislation and other effective tobacco control policies since the initiative began.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2012, $370 million was distributed. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org