Reaction to Turkish Thoracic Society donation to cigarette makers

The Turkish Thoracic Society reacted to tobacco farmers who helped after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The association asserted that these companies, which have an advertising ban, turned the crisis into an opportunity by breaking the advertising ban and aid campaigns, and said necessary measures must be taken.

In the association’s written press release, “We are currently experiencing one of the biggest disasters in our country in the last 100 years. We are facing a major disaster before the wounds of the Marmara earthquake we suffered in 1999 healed. We mobilized for help as a nation, our hearts are full of pain.

In the statement, which affirmed that the mentalities that turned even great disasters into opportunities did not sit idly by, it was recalled that the tobacco industry also provided assistance in the Marmara earthquake and said: “We also know that there are publications through scientists that tobacco use reduces the risk of covid infection in the early stages of the pandemic.

AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

In the statement, “(the tobacco companies) announced that they are very sorry for the great disaster we are experiencing at the moment and that they will provide all kinds of assistance to Turkey. One of the main articles of the Framework Convention of the World Health Organization for Tobacco Control is the prohibition of all types of advertising, promotion and aid campaigns by the tobacco industry.

Stating that Turkey was one of the first countries to sign this contract, the statement said: “We must prevent an industry that causes the death of 8 million people every year due to this great disaster in which we live and take the necessary precautions.” .