12.10.2026 10:35
In Izmir, an ad in which a person offered for sale for 50 lira a balloon that he claimed to have inflated with a sick person's breath has become a topic of discussion again. In the ad, which included the phrase 'guaranteed to put you to bed for 1 week,' it was claimed that those who buy the balloon could fall ill and get a sick leave report. Experts harshly criticized the ad and called on the authorities to take action.
An advertisement reportedly published on a second-hand shopping platform in Izmir has come back into the spotlight on social media. A person claiming to be sick put a balloon they inflated with their breath up for sale for 50 lira. In the advertisement's description, it was claimed that buyers could fall ill and obtain a medical rest report.
"1 WEEK BED REST GUARANTEED"
In the advertisement, said to have been published in 2024 and recirculated in 2026, the product offered for sale was named "Sick-breath balloon for getting a report." The description of the 50-lira balloon added the note: "1 Week Bed Rest Guaranteed, Not Corona, Just a Regular Illness."
The person who placed the ad claimed that they blew their breath into the balloon while sick and that those who inhaled this air could also become ill. Thus, it was suggested that buyers could apply to a hospital and obtain a medical rest report.
HARSH REACTION FROM SSI EXPERT
Evaluating the advertisement that resurfaced on social media, SSI Chief Expert İsa Karakaş stated that the incident should not be seen merely as a joke made on the internet. Karakaş, providing examples of irregularities he encountered in working life and the social security system, drew attention to the methods used to obtain unjust gains.
Arguing that the advertisement points to a serious social and legal problem, Karakaş questioned why second-hand sales platforms do not block such content.
THOSE WHO OBTAIN FAKE REPORTS MAY FACE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES
Warning that serious sanctions may be encountered if medical rest reports are used contrary to the truth, Karakaş stated that payments made to people who unjustly receive incapacity benefits could be demanded back with interest.
Stating that the employment contracts of employees who use reports contrary to the truth could be terminated, Karakaş noted that the advertiser could also face legal and criminal liability depending on the nature of the incident.
CALLED ON MINISTRIES
Karakaş emphasized that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Trade should take action against advertisements that could endanger human health and encourage abuse of the social security system.
There is no verified information that the balloon allegedly offered for sale for 50 lira actually transmits illness or that a medical rest report can be obtained through this method.