Collaboration with TV series in the fight against tobacco
Health Development Director General Muhammed Atak stated that, upon the instructions of Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, their work has been accelerated within the scope of the "Protective, Developing and Producing Health Model" in the new period.
Emphasizing that they want to bring preventive health services to the forefront in this new period, Atak touched on the importance of including all stakeholders of society in the fight against tobacco.
Atak stated that in order to effectively combat cigarettes and other tobacco products, it is necessary to act not only with laws and regulations but also by increasing social awareness, and said, "We want to make all members of society a part of this process in the fight against tobacco. Only in this way can we be successful in the long term."
Drawing attention to the importance of the role of the media and the art world in the fight against tobacco, Atak said, "We expect scenes encouraging smoking in TV series and movies to be reduced and instead, we expect awareness-raising messages to be given about the harms of tobacco addiction. We also invite producers to be health ambassadors with us on this issue."
Atak stated that the Ministry of Health has also developed control mechanisms that ensure the active participation of citizens in the fight against tobacco, and that he believes that the Alo 184 Ministry of Health Communication Center and the Green Detector application will contribute to citizens taking an active role in the fight against tobacco.
NEW CONTROL MECHANISMS ARE IN PLACE TO FIGHT AGAINST ELECTRONIC CIGARETTESGeneral Manager Atak emphasized that electronic cigarettes are more dangerous than traditional cigarettes and said, "It has been scientifically proven that electronic cigarettes are harmful new generation tobacco products, that they increase nicotine addiction and that they accelerate the spread of other tobacco products among young people."
In this context, Atak stated that the illegal sale of cigarettes and tobacco products will be fought more effectively by establishing cross-control mechanisms under the coordination of the General Directorate of Public Health, and said, "We are strengthening the control mechanisms. We also aim to reduce the illegal sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco use in closed areas through cross-controls."
The Ministry of Health also aims to increase awareness campaigns in traditional and digital media in the fight against tobacco in the new period.
In this context, the General Directorate of Health Promotion is implementing the "Health Literacy Action Plan" in order to increase public access to accurate information and raise awareness about health.
Health Development Director General Atak stated that in this context, they aim to ensure that individuals make more conscious decisions by increasing effective information and education activities in the fight against tobacco.
GOAL IS TO REACH EVERY SECTION OF SOCIETYThe Ministry of Health will also increase awareness campaigns in the traditional and digital media areas in the fight against tobacco.
Atak stated that they plan to reach every segment of society with media campaigns to be conducted on this issue and shared the following information: "The elements that encourage tobacco use will be reduced by collaborating with TV series and film producers. Special programs will be developed for young people and children. Awareness campaigns will be organized with effective visuals and videos on social media platforms. Instant messages about the harms of tobacco will be shared through screens in health centers. A health literacy action plan will be implemented. Anti-tobacco messages will be placed on billboards, subways and trams. Joint efforts will be carried out with health professionals and NGOs. Every segment of society will be reached with public service announcements."
Atak stated that the tobacco industry affects society through its advertising and marketing methods and that they will follow a more active communication strategy to cope with this, and said, "We want to make the process more effective by taking all segments of society with us in the fight against tobacco. We invite producers, media representatives and every member of society to be with us in this fight."
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