In Memorium

Jiri Kozak

January 27, 2002

Jiri Kozak, MD, PhD, was the first doctor in the Czech Republic promoting the treatment of the tobacco dependence since late seventies/early eighties. Concerning tobacco control he worked in the frame of the Czech Medical Assocation, esp. in the Czech Pneumological and Phtiseological Medical Association, but also internationally - he was the vicepresident of the European Medical Association Smoking or Health, and head of its Czech section. He was also a member of the International Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, and the European Respiratory Society. He collaborated with the World Health Organisation and was awarded a WHO medal in 1988.

Jiri Kozak was the co-founder of the Czech Coalition against Tobacco. He completed the first studies of nicotine replacement therapy in the Czech Republic. After many years working in a smoking cessation clinic many Czech smokers should be grateful to him for their longer life, but also undirectly - he stimulated lot of Czech doctors to take up tobacco control activities, including treatment.

In addition to scientific papers, he published first book about tobacco and health in Czech (Risk Factor Smoking, 1993) and many leaflets and smaller publications. For me personally he was a very important person in my life: he brought my attention to the tobacco problem and thanks to him I am doing this job now. We published and worked many years together, professionally and personally we were very close, sharing this common hobby. He died suddenly, being active until last moment, at the age of 75 on January 27, 2002.

-- Eva Kralikova, Charles University of Prague

Letters of condolence may be mailed to:

Jiri Kozak's wife:

Nada Kozakova
17. listopadu 117
284 30 Kutná Hora
Czech Republic

Jiri Kozak's organization:

CK EMASH
Studnickova 7
128 00 Praha 2
Czech Republic

Eva Kralikova (she would be happy to pass all emails along to his wife):

Eva Kralikova, MD, PhD
Charles University of Prague
First Faculty of Medicine
Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Smoking Cessation Clinic
Studnickova 7
128 00 Prague 2
Czech Republic
Email: Eva.Kralikova@lf1.cuni.cz