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Photograph by: Berivan Babahan
By Sara Shabiri Hussein Somjee
Founded in September 2023, the Tobacco Control Club at Near East University has quickly grown into a platform for students passionate about raising awareness on the dangers of tobacco use. With its mission rooted in education and intervention, the club aims to transform the campus into a tobacco-free environment.
Although the club experienced a period of inactivity, it was reactivated in September 2024 with fresh energy and doubled membership. “We’ve offered a space for freedom of speech, self-expression, and activities related to smoking prevention,” said Douaa Al Farou, the club’s head and student representative.
The club’s core objective is to inform students as well as the wider university community about the harmful effects of tobacco and promote effective strategies in order to combat its use. Through awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, the club strives to prevent the use of cigarettes, hookah, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products.
Over the past two years, the club has organized key events, including the Tobacco Control Symposium under the guidance of Professor Dr. Özen Aşut. “We discussed the health consequences of smoking, including secondhand smoke and alternative tobacco products,” Al Farou explained.
Last year, the club also created a poster campaign focused on how to start quitting tobacco. This year’s focus has been even more education-based, offering students guidance on the steps involved in quitting smoking and reinforcing these lessons through various mediums. Although no major events have been held this year, Al Farou confirmed that plans are underway for a health campaign and further educational activities in the upcoming academic year.
According to Al Farou, many students join the club because they are seeking support to quit smoking, but feel unsure where to start. “We try to offer them the steps, and we also organize free cessation sessions where students can meet with different doctors to understand how they can quit smoking step-by-step,” she said.
Support also extends digitally through social media. The club uses platforms like Instagram to raise awareness, share infographics on tobacco’s harmful effects, and distribute handouts across campus.
When asked why people continue to smoke, particularly in North Cyprus and Turkey, Al Farou pointed to a combination of stress and social influence. “According to a PubMed research, smoking has increased by 13.1% among both males and females. Stress is a major factor, as people think smoking will relieve pressure. And often, if your environment includes smokers, you’re more likely to start yourself,” she noted.
To combat this, Al Farou suggests raising cigarette taxes and enforcing stricter age limits as potential steps toward reducing smoking rates across the region. As Near East University continues to grow, so does its student-driven commitment to public health. Thanks to leaders like Douaa Al Farou and her team at the Tobacco Control Club, a smoke-free future feels more achievable, one student at a time.