Turkey's economy incurs an annual cost of $78 billion due to addictions, according to Yeşilay.
In a groundbreaking report titled "Addiction Economy: The Economic Cost of Tobacco, Alcohol, Gambling, and Drug Addiction in Türkiye," the Turkish Green Crescent (Yeşilay) has highlighted the substantial economic impact of addictive behaviors in the country.
The report, led by Seyithan Ahmet Ateş of Ankara Social Sciences University, was attended by Green Crescent President Mehmet Dinç, Audit Board Chair Seyithan Ahmet Ateş, and Board Member Hüseyin Hayri Nuroğlu.
The report shows that Türkiye suffers an annual loss of $78 billion due to addictions. This figure reflects the extensive economic damage, including healthcare costs, lost workforce productivity, accidents, crime, and social unrest caused by these addictions.
More specifically, tobacco-related health costs alone run into billions of Turkish lira. These costs include direct healthcare expenses as well as indirect losses from social and economic factors related to addiction behaviors. The overall economic losses due to addiction amount to about 2.2% of Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP).
Mehmet Dinç, in his address at the press conference at Sepetçiler Pavilion, emphasized that addictions threaten the future of families and countries and can approach national security threats. He stated that addictions not only darken individuals' lives but also cause great harm to Türkiye's economy.
The report suggests that the $78 billion lost annually due to addictions could be used for public benefit, such as building 154 new city hospitals, restoring 1,000 ancient cities, museums, and historic sites, and providing housing for 513,000 families, as well as free tablets and education support for 18 million students.
The report also includes suggestions for supporting 50,000 technology startups and projects, developing a 15,000-kilometer high-speed train network, and providing electricity for 40 million households.
In addition to the economic costs, the report also focuses on the prevention efforts to protect youth from addiction. Dinç spoke about Yeşilay's "Independence Mobilization" campaign, launched in Istanbul and the Marmara region in November 2024 and expanded to Izmir in the Aegean region. The campaign aims to combat the rise in cigarette sales, which have increased by 39% over the past 20 years, reaching 150 billion sticks annually.
Cigarette-related fires cause economic damage, with data from Istanbul and Izmir fire departments showing they account for 40% of fires in Istanbul, with a direct economic burden estimated at $4 billion. Discarded cigarette butts pose environmental problems, with the volume equal to 5,000 garbage trucks annually.
In conclusion, the report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and cooperation across sectors to mitigate the economic and social harms caused by addictions in Türkiye.
- The groundbreaking report, led by Seyithan Ahmet Ateş of Ankara Social Sciences University, was focused on the economic impact of addictive behaviors in Türkiye.
- The report, titled "Addiction Economy," was attended by Green Crescent President Mehmet Dinç, Audit Board Chair Seyithan Ahmet Ateş, and Board Member Hüseyin Hayri Nuroğlu.
- The annual loss to Türkiye due to addictions, as revealed in the report, is a substantial $78 billion, with tobacco-related health costs alone running into billions of Turkish lira.
- In addition to the economic losses, addictions also pose threats to mental health, health-and-wellness, and social unrest.
- The report suggests that the $78 billion lost annually could be used for public benefit, such as infrastructure development, funding for education, and providing for those in need.
- The report also emphasizes the importance of prevention efforts, particularly in protecting youth from addiction, with campaigns like the "Independence Mobilization" in cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara.
