As in the whole world, 31 May Day in our countryWorld No Tobacco DayThe following information was included in the statement, where it was noted that it was celebrated with various activities for the purpose:
“With the activities carried out by our provincial health directorates, non-governmental organizations and stakeholder institutions in all our provinces, attention is drawn to the harms of tobacco products and those who want to quit are encouraged.
Various diseases occur in the respiratory tract and lungs due to the negative effects of cigarette smoke on the protective mechanisms of the respiratory tract due to both its heat and the large number of chemicals in it. Among these diseases; lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, asthma, various infections and even allergic disorders. Studies have shown that these diseases are more common in smokers.
The global tobacco epidemic ranks first among the preventable causes of disease and death and causes the death of more than 7 million people in the world every year. There are more than 5300 chemicals in cigarette smoke. To date, more than 70 of these chemicals have been identified as substances with a carcinogenic effect. According to the studies, it was determined that 1.8 million people were diagnosed with lung cancer and 1.6 million died due to the disease every year.
Considering all these risks, the success achieved in the fight against tobacco will make a great contribution to raising healthy generations free from addiction. However, many chronic diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases and related health and life losses will be prevented. In addition, the reduction of health expenditures and workforce losses for these chronic diseases will also contribute to the country’s economy.
For these reasons, efforts to combat tobacco in our country are carried out with great determination in cooperation with the political will, public authority, local governments, non-governmental organizations and the media. Political will consistently and boldly supports efforts to combat tobacco. In fact, our esteemed President himself is the leader and advocate of this struggle. This political determination at the highest level of course brings with it the continuity of successful works.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ON WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY
Studies show that climate change and drought are among the most important problems in the world. Large amounts of pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals used in tobacco cultivation; It significantly reduces the productivity of agricultural lands by causing hazardous pollutants to be discharged into water and soil. On May 31, 2023 World No Tobacco Day; In addition to the negative effects of tobacco production on fertile agricultural lands, it is aimed to draw attention to the effect of the amount of water consumed on drought. It is the duty of each individual to fight this problem individually in order to leave a more livable world to future generations. More than 32 thousand square meters of land is used for tobacco lands around the world. More than 22 billion tons of water is consumed in these agricultural lands. This figure shows that a person who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes a day for 50 years will be responsible for 1.4 million liters of water loss in his lifetime. In this respect, it is important to carry out activities aimed at increasing the awareness of the society about the harms of tobacco use at the provincial level.
PREVENTION TO PASSIVE EXPOSURE
Among the studies carried out in the field of combating tobacco in our country is the prevention of passive exposure of the entire society, especially children and youth, from tobacco smoke.
defined as exposure to cigarette smokepassive exposure” is defined as being heavily affected by cigarette smoke, even if the person does not smoke. Active smoking and secondhand exposure (passive exposure) involve proven risks. secondhand cigarette smoke; It causes leukemia, lymphoma, central nervous system tumors and liver cancer. Studies have shown that passive exposure also increases the risk of lung cancer.
In order to prevent passive exposure of our citizens from tobacco smoke and to protect their right to breathe clean air, it is carried out by inspection teams on a 24/7 basis with approximately 1500 inspection teams across the country for places where the use of tobacco products is prohibited within the scope of Law No. 4207. In addition to routine inspections, inspections are also carried out for notifications received via the Alo 184 Ministry of Health Communication Center Tobacco Report Line and the Green Detector mobile application. 22,852,971 inspections have been carried out across the country by our inspection teams since 19 July 2009, when the Law entered into force with all its provisions. During these inspections, an administrative fine of 313,008,491 TL was imposed on businesses and individuals who were found to be in violation of compliance with the provisions of the Law.
In addition to the protection and prevention activities carried out, individuals who use tobacco products are encouraged to quit, and support is provided to those who want to quit via the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Hotline and smoking cessation polyclinics. In the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Hotline, which was put into service on October 27, 2010, live support is provided by experts in smoking cessation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and an average of 4-5 thousand calls are answered daily. In addition, people who want to get support through the website can access many services from the alo171.saglik.gov.tr website. You can create a smoking cessation calendar on the site, calculate the burden of smoking on the budget, and perform stability and addiction tests. The site has been visited by 3,851,606 people from the date it was put into service until April 30, 2019.
In addition, the website havanikoru.saglik.gov.tr serves to inform the society about the harms of tobacco products and to share the studies carried out with the public. The site has been visited by 1,675,622 people from the date it was put into service until April 30, 2019.
As of 2019, 2,492,750 people have been served by 720 physicians in 501 smoking cessation outpatient clinics. Medicines used in smoking cessation treatment, which are not within the scope of reimbursement in our country, are provided free of charge to patients deemed appropriate by physicians in smoking cessation outpatient clinics.
Our main goals are to raise awareness of the society, to protect public health, and to raise healthy generations free from addictions. Efforts to combat tobacco for a “Full Smoke-Free Turkey” continue with determination and being strengthened.
On May 31, World No Tobacco Day, you can also take a step and get rid of cigarette addiction. If you want to quit smoking but think you can’t, remember that there are many institutions that you can get support from during this process. All addictions are a disease and can be cured.”