On June 5th, World Environment Day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın spoke about the environmental damage caused by smoking, citing research findings. Aydın stated, “Nearly 5 trillion cigarette butts are produced each year worldwide, and approximately 1 million birds die after swallowing these discarded butts. The damage that smoking causes to both human health and the environment is significant.”
In his remarks regarding World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually to raise awareness and enhance environmental consciousness, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın, who is also the President of the Turkey Tobacco Control Association and the Founder of the Green Homeland Platform, emphasized the need to highlight the environmental effects of smoking. He said, “Given that a significant portion of deaths worldwide is thought to be tobacco-related, the damage caused by smoking to both human health and the environment is considerable.”
“Smoking has a serious destructive impact on health”
He pointed out that smoking is indicative of a poor lifestyle, leading to many types of cancer, especially cardiovascular diseases. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın noted, “In our country, 70% of cardiovascular diseases and 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Smokers are five times more likely to experience a heart attack than non-smokers. Even smoking just one cigarette a day increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the risk of developing throat cancer is known to be 20 times higher in smokers. Smoking, a significant factor that increases the risk of many cancers, is a poison with serious destructive effects on health.”
“Smoking contributes to deforestation”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın stated that where there is smoking, signs of life are absent. He explained, “Numerous studies have identified the negative effects of cigarette butts on natural life. These studies indicate that cigarette butts cause stunted growth in plants. Approximately half of the forest fires in our country are caused by cigarette butts. Nearly 40% of the trash collected in picnic areas, along beaches, and in cities consists of cigarette butts. Additionally, research shows that smoking leads to deforestation, water and soil damage, and acidification, causing great harm to the natural environment.”
1 million birds are dying
Highlighting the dangerous ecological impacts of smoking, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın remarked, “The first harm caused by smoking is to the soil. For example, pesticides used during tobacco farming contaminate the soil and water. The methods used to produce cigarettes and tobacco products release 2 million tons of carbon dioxide and 5 million tons of methane into the atmosphere, affecting living organisms. Moreover, thousands of trees are cut down to obtain the paper and cardboard used in cigarette production, and the plastics found in cigarette filters remain in the environment for many years without decomposing. Almost 5 trillion cigarette butts are produced globally each year, leading to the deaths of around 1 million birds that swallow these discarded butts,” emphasizing the environmental damage caused by smoking.
In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated, “It is our duty to leave a clean environment for our children and youth, who are the guarantee of our bright future. The Turkey Tobacco Control Association and the Green Homeland Platform have been fighting for this for years. Our efforts to highlight the harm of smoking to human health and our sensitivity to environmental issues are important indicators of this commitment. Let us build our future from today and take care of our nature and our homeland.”
Date: June 5, 2023
Source: www.iha.com.tr