Prevalence of Green Tobacco Sickness in Tobacco Production Areas in the Black Sea Region

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.22573/spg.ijals.018.s12200087

AUTHOR AFFILIATION

1.Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Tokat, Turkey; E-Mails: ahmetkinay@gmail.com 2.Ondokuz Mayis University, Bafra Vocational High School, Department of Crop and Animal Production, Samsun, Turkey; Mails: dursun.kurt@omu.edu.tr 3.Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; E-Mails: sidika.ekren@ege.du.tr 4.Tobacco and Alcoholic Beverages Market Regulation Board, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; E-Mails: vakifm@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the presence of green tobacco sickness in tobacco producers living in the Black Sea Region and their level of knowledge of green tobacco sickness. Simple random sampling was employed, and the results of the surveys that had been conducted face-to-face with tobacco producers were gathered and analyzed. As a result, green tobacco sickness was not encountered among tobacco producers living in the Black Sea Region, and it was understood that they did not have knowledge of the sickness. The main reasons why there is no evidence of the sickness are growing tobacco with low nicotine content and common usage of protective equipment during and after harvest. In order to overcome lack of information, occupational health and safety training should be provided. In addition, it is required to make agricultural mechanization widespread in tobacco growing. Thus, precautions shall have been taken against probable occurrence of the sickness. Making this study in other tobacco production regions of Turkey would be beneficial.