In 2013, Turkish man Ibrahim Yucel took drastic steps to quit smoking by designing a cage for his head that only his wife could unlock. Yucel, who had smoked two packs daily for over two decades, was motivated by his father’s death from lung cancer. To resist the urge, he crafted the cage from 130 feet of copper wire, inspired by motorcycle helmets, and wore it daily, locking his head inside so he couldn’t smoke. The cage’s gaps allowed him to drink water but prevented him from fitting a cigarette through.
The unusual strategy garnered significant public attention, with Yucel giving his wife the only key, allowing him to be freed only for meals. Yucel’s approach underscored his desperation to quit after years of unsuccessful attempts, though it’s unclear if he ultimately managed to kick the habit, as updates on his story are sparse.
On social media, the story sparked humorous commentary, with users joking about potential inconveniences, like itching and alternative ways he might sneak a cigarette through the device. While unconventional, Yucel’s extreme attempt highlights the lengths some people will go to overcome smoking addiction, adding to discussions on effective and unusual smoking cessation methods.
