ALO 184 Tobacco Complaint Line

The ALO 184 Tobacco Complaint Line was established by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey to monitor and supervise the illegal use of tobacco and tobacco products. Operating under the Health Ministry Communication Center (SABİM), the line allows citizens to submit complaints and reports regarding tobacco and tobacco product usage.

Operation and Monitoring System

Through the Smoke-Free Airspace Monitoring System, reports submitted via ALO 184 are assigned to the nearest tobacco inspection team. The team conducts on-site inspections at the reported location; if a violation is identified, necessary administrative actions are taken, and inspection records and images are sent to the central system.

Citizens can submit complaints not only by phone but also via the Green Detector mobile application. This app enables reporting of violations in tobacco-free areas using GPS technology. Reports are automatically transmitted to the Smoke-Free Airspace Monitoring System with the business location, allowing inspection teams to respond promptly. The app was launched in Ankara and Istanbul on May 31, 2016, and became available nationwide from February 9, 2017.

Types of Inspections and Implementation

In addition to reports received via ALO 184 and the Green Detector app, routine inspections are conducted. To enhance efficiency, cross-inspections are also performed. Teams in all 81 provinces are paired; city center inspections occur at least once a month, while district inspections occur at least once a week. Cross-inspections carried out by teams from different provinces and districts facilitate the detection of violations.

SABİM and Related Units

ALO 184 operates under SABİM and functions in coordination with several units:^【1】 

• We Are a Family Team: Addresses problems experienced by healthcare workers and ensures their resolution. Accessible by calling SABİM and pressing “1.”
• Hands of Healing Team: Forwards threats or violent statements directed at healthcare workers to relevant institutions.
• Healthy Solution Unit: Handles citizen feedback submitted via social media and tracks the process. Operational since October 2016.
• Live Support: Provides online communication regarding the health system via the SABİM website. Requests are referred to central or provincial authorities if needed.
• Satisfaction Survey Unit: Measures and reports citizen and healthcare worker satisfaction. Established in April 2019, collects data via telephone and web surveys, generating heat maps and periodic evaluations.
• CİMER Unit: Integrates applications submitted to the Presidential Communication Center (established 2014) with Ministry processes. Responses are provided within 15–30 days or forwarded to the relevant unit.
• Email Unit: Processes incoming information, complaints, suggestions, and requests, forwarding them to relevant authorities while monitoring the process. Applications are handled and archived in accordance with Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data.

Purpose and Significance

The ALO 184 Tobacco Complaint Line aims to prevent violations in tobacco-free areas, protect citizens’ right to clean air, and promote public health in Turkey. Through routine inspections, report evaluation, and cross-inspections, the line ensures compliance with tobacco laws and enforces administrative sanctions when violations are detected.

Integrated with the Green Detector app, the line ensures that reports reach the central system quickly and that inspection processes are effectively managed. Citizen and business reports support the coordination of tobacco control and enforcement activities.

Warning: The content in this entry is provided for general encyclopedic purposes only. It should not be used for diagnosing, treating, or providing medical guidance. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The author and KÜRE Encyclopedia accept no responsibility for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information for diagnostic or treatment purposes.