Smoking represents a huge public health burden in Turkey: An estimated 51-63% of Turkish men and 24-26% of Turkish women 15 years of age and older smoke. Evidence-based smoking cessation programs are becoming more common in Turkey, but more work needs to be done.

We developed and tested the first text messaging-based smoking cessation program in the Middle East. SMS Turkey (or Cebiniz Birakin Diyor in Turkish) was tested among adult smokers in Ankara, Turkey, and was associated with increased quitting rates for women and light smokers especially.

This program was conducted in partnership with colleagues at Hacettepe University.

• Fogarty International Center (R01TW007918)