The role of public relations in reducing smoking addiction: An examination on the public relations activities conducted by Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

When public establishments and institutions are concerned about creating a desired public perception, public relations applications take an active role in processes. It is observed that Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health is using various public relations application techniques at studies against smoking addiction. The first chapter of the study is constructed around concept of public relations and its details. In this context, concepts and definitive data related to public relations are examined in the first chapter. It is known that health and well-being are the most important factors affecting life qualities of individuals. Changes in health impacts individuals' daily routines as well as their professional lives. Within this context, it is reported that smoking can adversely impact both active and passive smokers. One of the major focuses of the thesis is the smoking addiction which is a significant social threat. Therefore, smoking addiction is explained in the second chapter of the thesis. Additional to academic insights about relevant concepts, numerical reports published by public establishments and institutions are also analyzed in order to enhance reliability of this study. The third chapter of this study uses Descriptive Analysis Method as data analysis methodology. Finding of the study reveals that many public relationship applications are being used during campaigns against smoking addiction. The most important applications can be listed as "ALO 171 Smoking Addiction Consultancy Quitline" and "Yesil Dedektor" application. Key words: Public relations, Addiction, Smoking (nicotin) addiction, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health.