Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Turkey’s Anti-Smoking Association President Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın made statements regarding the negative health effects of electronic cigarettes, which are often presented as alternatives to quitting smoking by the tobacco industry.

Many who want to quit smoking often turn to electronic cigarettes and their derivatives, believing they are less harmful. However, it is known that these products negatively affect many organs, especially the lungs and heart, due to their high nicotine content. Highlighting the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products presented as alternatives to smoking, Turkey’s Anti-Smoking Association President Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated, “Electronic cigarettes, presented as alternatives for those who want to quit smoking, pose a great danger to both our health and public health. These types of cigarettes are encouraged to be used by the tobacco industry, claiming they are ‘less harmful.’ This situation misleads and directs people incorrectly.”

“The age of starting smoking is quite low”
Assoc. Dr. Aydın noted that the age of starting to smoke has significantly decreased in recent years, saying, “I regret to state that the age of starting smoking has particularly decreased in recent years. Our future, which is secured by our children, is introduced to this poison at a very young age due to peer pressure and social acceptance. Due to environmental factors and peer pressure, quitting smoking becomes quite challenging. As a result, the use of electronic cigarettes is increasingly spreading among the younger generation.”

“It seriously threatens human health”
Assoc. Dr. Aydın emphasized that electronic cigarettes increase the risk of diseases not only in the lungs and heart but also in the stomach and intestines, causing serious brain damage and inflammation. He stated, “Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products also seriously threaten human health, just like regular cigarettes. Therefore, we must be meticulous about this issue to raise awareness in our society.”

“The harms of electronic cigarettes and their derivatives should be communicated to raise public awareness”
Assoc. Dr. Aydın expressed that electronic cigarettes are as harmful as regular cigarettes, saying, “This situation should be communicated effectively to our society to raise awareness. Electronic cigarettes, which contain high amounts of nicotine and harmful chemicals like nickel and lead, also lead to addiction. For those who start at an early age, they significantly affect brain development and increase the risk of heart diseases and depression.”

Stating that turning to electronic cigarettes to escape tobacco addiction is a big mistake, Assoc. Dr. Aydın concluded, “The harms of electronic cigarettes should be well communicated to our society, especially to our youth. May 31, World No Tobacco Day, should be a turning point for everyone; on this special day, please quit smoking.”

Date: May 29, 2023

Source: www.iha.com.tr