Turkey has become the world leader with an average of 17 cigarettes consumed per person per day. Associate Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Turkish Society for the Fight Against Tobacco (TSSD), who has been actively working on smoking cessation for years, highlighted important points regarding the issue, reminding that 1 in 4 people aged 15 and over smoke, stating, “The level of smoking addiction in our country has reached terrifying heights.”
Dr. Aydın noted that about 2 billion people worldwide are addicted to cigarettes and other tobacco products, emphasizing that electronic cigarettes, often promoted as alternatives for quitting smoking, are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. He explained that electronic cigarettes, which are often portrayed as harmless, can lead to various health issues, including lung and respiratory problems, as well as cognitive decline. He pointed out that the World Health Organization has called for urgent action to minimize the harms of smoking and control the use of electronic cigarettes. Dr. Aydın stated, “The chemicals in electronic cigarettes, which are increasingly accepted as less harmful than regular cigarettes, are just as harmful as those found in cigarette smoke. Individuals who want to quit smoking should be determined and resolute, rather than seeking alternatives.”
“1 in 4 people aged 15 and over smoke”
Dr. Aydın highlighted that the number of smokers in Turkey exceeds 15 million, stating, “In our country, 1 in 4 people aged 15 and over smoke. As seen, the level of smoking addiction in our country is at alarming levels.” He added that a large portion of tobacco addicts began smoking during childhood and adolescence, explaining, “Our youth are trying cigarettes at a very early age and start smoking regularly by the age of 18. As they grow older, the amount of cigarettes they consume continues to increase.”
“Advertising campaigns negatively influence people”
Dr. Aydın pointed out that tobacco manufacturers attract people to smoking through enticing advertisements. He said, “These multinational companies market tobacco products in ways that capture the interest of young people. Later, they direct those who want to quit smoking to products like electronic cigarettes through various advertising campaigns. In other words, these companies have created a system of exploitation.”
“Secondhand smoke affects our children”
Dr. Aydın noted that Turkey’s position as the country with the highest per capita daily cigarette consumption also contributes to the issue of passive smoking. He stated, “The negative health effects of passive smoking are undeniable. The most affected group, without a doubt, is children. Passive smoking significantly hinders the cognitive development of our children. Especially in a country where daily cigarette consumption is so high, our children are at great risk.”
“You must be determined to quit smoking”
Dr. Aydın emphasized that Turkey’s status as the leading country in cigarette consumption has numerous negative effects on public health and cognitive development. He stated, “Brain shrinkage and mental retardation are observed in smokers. It has been scientifically proven that the brains of those who smoke one pack a day shrink and can take up to 25 years to return to their original state. Turkey has a situation where 1 in 4 people aged 15 and over consumes an average of 17 cigarettes a day, meaning we can say that nearly one pack of cigarettes is consumed daily. Considering this situation, if smokers quit today, it will take them 25 years to recover their brain function. The harm they are causing to themselves is extremely severe. They need to realize this and be resolute in quitting smoking, without alternatives,” he concluded.