Since 1987, May 31 has been celebrated as “World Stop Smoking Day” in the member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO). On this day, smokers are encouraged to stop smoking for 24 hours.
The WHO recognizes tobacco as an epidemic, “the greatest public health threat the world has ever seen”. It calls on all governments to adopt policies such as banning advertising and increasing cigarette taxes to curb tobacco use.
As a foundation, we have donated to the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum -DKFZ), which is internationally committed to groundbreaking cancer research to find a cure for smoking-induced cancer.
Tobacco Use Must Stop to Save Our Planet
Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, said: “Tobacco harms both people and the environment. Tobacco cultivation, production, and use poison our water, soil, beaches, and city streets with chemicals, toxic waste, cigarette butts, and e-cigarette waste, including microplastics. The tobacco industry’s harmful impact on the environment is enormous and is increasing by putting unnecessary pressure on our planet’s already scarce resources and fragile ecosystems. For World Stop Smoking Day on May 31st, our Foundation has donated to the German Cancer Research Center, which conducts research to fight cancer, the most important disease caused by smoking.”
German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum -DKFZ)
Founded in 1964, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is committed to conducting groundbreaking Cancer Research at the highest international level. Through its activity, it aims to save lives and improve the well-being of those affected by cancer. It strives to provide its employees with an environmentally sensitive and socially just workplace while conducting outstanding research in a responsible, sustainable, and climate-friendly manner.
DKFZ, the largest biomedical research institute in Germany and a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, is committed to excellence in research and to conducting research in a sustainable manner. It believes that groundbreaking research that saves lives and improves well-being in cancer should not also contribute to societal harm and environmental degradation.
DKFZ develops a sustainability strategy to conduct research in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, including targets in the areas of organizational development, research, human resources, construction and infrastructure, and purchasing, in line with science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
