Reflection 1

SMOKERS IN TURKEY

            “ Smokers in Turkey to Not receive free cancer medicine” is the news written by Meltem Özgenç in Hurriyet newspaper. The news is that people who were smoking or right now are smoking do not have the right of free cancer treatment. In the article, some people criticize this situation. Some of them are Ankara Bar Association’s head Hakan Canduran and Turkish Employer Pharmacists Union’s (TEİS) head Nurten Saydan. Firstly, Hakan Canduran states that this regulation is not sensible because people have the right to receive treatment without any discrimination. Secondly, Nurten Saydan says “For example, for someone who is diagnosed with lung cancer on Feb. 3, his/her treatment will be funded only if s/he has not smoked before. This is unacceptable,” . On the other hand, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says that people cannot have such a freedom like smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs and considers that people must keep away from these habits. The writer does not comment on a statement about topic and she just writes the event and some people’s comments. Therefore, a more clear review can be done in this case.

            People can criticise and make up their decisions on their own and see the right or wrong side. Smoking is a very unhealthy habit but smokers are already aware of the risks. For example, some people say that smoking is very dangerous and a bad habit; however, they get used to smoking. The government cannot simply deter people from smoking by regulating such a law as “smokers do not receive free cancer medicine”. It is possible that people who smoke cigarettes can be given a professional assistance for quitting. In addition, everybody has the right to get free medicine or proper treatment. When anybody is sick, he/she gets a treatment without being judged by his/her choices.

            To conclude, this regulation in Turkey is unreasonable because people do not stop smoking cigarettes because of not receiving free medicine. The government can perform more suitable regulations to protect the citizens. Lastly, I think that people can quit cigarettes if there is a more convincing and a sensible way of doing so.