Not smoke, poison! – Last Minute Türkiye and world news

SHAFAQNA Türkiye – With the statement of the Erzincan Health Department on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, attention was drawn to the harm caused by tobacco products to human health.

The statement included the following information, which noted that, like all over the world, in our country, May 31 is celebrated as “World No Tobacco Day” with various targeted activities:

“Through the activities carried out by our provincial health departments, non-governmental organizations and interested institutions in all our provinces, attention is drawn to the harms of tobacco products and those who want to quit smoking are encouraged.

Various diseases occur in the respiratory tract and lungs due to the negative impact of cigarette smoke on the protective mechanisms of the respiratory tract, both due to its heat, and due to the large amount of chemicals in it. Among these diseases; lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, asthma, various infections and even allergic diseases. Studies have shown that these diseases are more common in smokers.

The global tobacco epidemic is the number one preventable cause of disease and death, and causes more than 7 million deaths worldwide each year. There are over 5,300 chemicals in cigarette smoke. To date, more than 70 of these chemicals have been identified as carcinogenic. According to surveys, every year 1.8 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer and 1.6 million people die from this disease.

Considering all these risks, the successes achieved in the fight against smoking will be a great contribution to the education of healthy generations, free from addiction. However, many chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and the associated loss of health and life will be prevented. In addition, reducing health care costs and labor force loss due to these chronic diseases will also boost the country’s economy.

For these reasons, tobacco control efforts in our country are undertaken with great determination, in cooperation with political will, public authorities, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and the media. Political will consistently and strongly supports tobacco control efforts. In fact, our esteemed President himself is the leader and supporter of this struggle. This political commitment at the highest level, of course, entails the continuation of successful work.

Protecting the Environment on World No Tobacco Day

Research shows that climate change and drought are among the most important issues in the world. A large number of pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals used in tobacco growing; This significantly reduces the productivity of agricultural land, causing the release of harmful pollutants into water and soil. May 31, 2023 World No Tobacco Day; In addition to the negative impact of tobacco production on fertile agricultural land, attention should be paid to the impact of water consumption on drought. It is the duty of each person to fight this problem individually in order to leave future generations with a more livable world. More than 32 thousand square meters of land are used for tobacco plantations around the world. These agricultural lands consume more than 22 billion tons of water. This figure shows that a person who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes a day for 50 years will lose 1.4 million liters of water in their lifetime. In this regard, it is important to carry out activities aimed at raising public awareness of the dangers of tobacco use at the provincial level.

Prevention of passive exposure

Among the studies carried out in the field of tobacco control in our country is the prevention of passive exposure of the whole society, especially children and youth, from tobacco smoke.

“Passive exposure”, which is defined as exposure to cigarette smoke, is defined as intense exposure to cigarette smoke even if the person does not smoke. Active smoking and secondary exposure (passive exposure) are associated with proven risks. passive smoking; 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 the passive exposure of our citizens to tobacco smoke and protect their right to breathe clean air, it is carried out by inspection teams on a 24/7 basis with about 1,500 inspection teams across the country for places where the use of tobacco products is prohibited under Law No. 4207. In In addition to routine checks, checks are also conducted for notifications received through the Alo 184 Ministry of Health Communications Tobacco Message Line and the Green Detector mobile app. Since July 19, 2009, when the Law came into force with all the provisions of the Law, our inspection teams have carried out 22,852,971 inspections throughout the country. During these inspections, an administrative fine of TL 313,008,491 was imposed on legal entities and individuals found to be in violation of the provisions of the Law.

In addition to ongoing protection and prevention activities, tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking and those who want to quit are supported through the ALO 171 cessation hotline and cessation clinics. At the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Hotline, which was launched on October 27, 2010, smoking cessation specialists provide live support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and respond to an average of 4,000 to 5,000 calls. daily. Also, people who want to get support through the website can access many services on the alo171.saglik.gov.tr ​​website. On the site, you can create a smoking cessation calendar, calculate the burden of smoking on the budget, conduct stability and addiction tests. The site was visited by 3,851,606 people from the date of commissioning until April 30, 2019.

In addition, the website havanikoru.saglik.gov.tr ​​serves to inform the public about the dangers of tobacco products and to disseminate information about the studies carried out. The site was visited by 1,675,622 people from the moment of commissioning until April 30, 2019.

As of 2019, 2,492,750 people were served by 720 physicians at 501 outpatient smoking cessation clinics. Medicines used to treat smoking cessation, which are non-reimbursable in our country, are provided free of charge to patients at outpatient smoking cessation clinics that physicians deem appropriate.

Our main goals are to raise public awareness, protect the health of the population and raise a healthy generation free from addictions. Tobacco control efforts for “Total Smoke-Free Turkey” are ongoing and intensifying.

May 31, World No Tobacco Day, you too can 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 agencies that can help you with this process. Any addiction is a disease and can be cured.”