Abstract:

Since 1920 alcohol addiction is discussed in Turkey as a social wound, and legal tools to limit the production and consumption of liquor is were arranged. Between 1920 and 1950 its consequences have been described in the light of medical grounds. In addition to negative effects of alcohol on human health, social deteriorations have been a subject of propaganda. It was stressed that alcohol addiction causes moral collapse, destroys the family structure, leads to physical and mental deterioration and increases crime rate, hence it is tried to be isolated from the society. “Men’i Müskirat” Law, the Turkish Penal Code and Public Health Act included sections aimed at preventing and limiting the use of alcohol and resultant losses. In addition, the state carried out anti-alcohol propaganda through Ministry of Health during this period. Such propaganda carried out by means of broadcasting, conferences, movie demonstrations, and purposeful trips. On the other hand, “Yeşilay Cemiyeti” (i.e. the Green Crescent) carried out extensive activities on anti-alcohol propaganda between 1920-1950. Doctors in this society published scientific articles in newspapers of this period, attended conferences in “Türk Ocakları”, community centers, schools and discussed the harms of alcohol in a multidimensional way. “Yeşilay Cemiyeti” asserted its propaganda through publications, purposeful trips, and its organizations such as the Green Day and Grape Festival. The society sought to strengthen the cooperation against alcohol. This study focuses on the social and economic aspects of alcohol production and consumption in Turkey between 1920-1950, related legal regulations and ventures, the propaganda through struggle against alcoholism, and contributions of “Yeşilay Cemiyeti” on this topic. The newspapers, publications, archive documents of the period, and contemporary research on the subject have been primary source to this study.

Keywords: