The heavy toll of tobacco in Turkey: 125,000 people lose their lives every year

The health toll caused by tobacco use in Turkey is once again on the agenda with mortality data. According to information obtained from the Ministry of Health, approximately 125,000 people in the country lose their lives due to tobacco every year. This figure means that, on average, one person dies every 4 minutes due to smoking-related causes.

According to the data, approximately 25,000 of these deaths consist of passive smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke despite not using tobacco products themselves. Experts point out that tobacco products harm not only the users but also a wide range of people, including children and adults present in the same environment.

According to current data from the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco damages almost every organ in the body. In addition to cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases, weakening of the immune system, reduced fertility, and premature death are among the primary consequences of tobacco use.

Worldwide, more than 7 million people lose their lives each year due to causes related to tobacco use. More than 1.6 million of these deaths occur in people who do not smoke directly but are exposed to tobacco smoke.

THERE IS NO SAFE LEVEL OF SECONDHAND SMOKE

The WHO emphasizes that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Exposure to tobacco smoke can cause serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer.

It is stated that the smoke emitted into the environment from a burning cigarette contains approximately 4,000 chemicals and toxins, 50 of which are carcinogenic. In children, exposure to cigarette smoke can increase the risk of asthma, bronchitis, colds, middle ear problems, and reduced lung function.

In addition to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, tobacco use is cited as a significant risk factor for more than 20 types or subtypes of cancer. It is reported that Turkey ranks first in the world in the frequency of lung cancer in men and related deaths.

The effects of smoking also manifest in reproductive health. According to the WHO fact sheet, smoking is associated with infertility in women, negative effects on sperm in men, and a decrease in the success rate of some fertility treatments. It is stated that the risk of infertility in women who use tobacco is 40 percent higher than in those who do not.

Nicotine addiction is also one of the most difficult aspects of the fight against tobacco. The WHO points out that nicotine has harmful effects, especially for children, adolescents, and young adults whose brain development is ongoing. According to Yeşilay data, withdrawal symptoms can appear within 90 to 120 minutes when nicotine is not taken.

Electronic cigarettes are also among the risk categories. According to the WHO, nicotine and other toxic substances can be found in the emissions of these products. It is stated that some substances can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases, and the long-term effects are not yet fully known.

RECOVERY BEGINS SHORTLY AFTER QUITTING

Positive changes in the body begin shortly after quitting smoking. According to information provided by Yeşilay, heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after the last cigarette; the carbon monoxide level in the blood returns to normal after 12 hours.

Improvement in blood circulation and lung function can be seen within 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting. It is reported that one year later, the risk of coronary heart disease drops to half that of smokers, and 10 years later, the risk of death from lung cancer also decreases to approximately half compared to smokers.

Those who want to quit smoking in Turkey can receive free support via the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Consultation Line. In addition, appointments can be made at smoking cessation clinics by scheduling through the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS) at 182. Operators trained in smoking cessation provide 24/7 counseling services on the ALO 171 line.