Tobacco Addiction

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco products are defined as products whose raw material is entirely or partially tobacco leaves and which are inhaled, sucked, chewed or sniffed as smoke (WHO).

Cigarettes are among the most consumed addictive substances in the world. According to the Green Crescent's Addiction Control Report, approximately 1.3 billion people smoke in the world. This number is expected to increase to 1.8 billion by 2025. More than 8 million people lose their lives each year in the world due to diseases related to tobacco use. While more than 7 million of these deaths are directly the result of tobacco use, 1.2 million more people lose their lives not because of tobacco use but because of exposure to tobacco smoke. In our country, approximately 100,000 people lose their lives each year due to diseases related to tobacco use (https://bmyk.gov.tr/TR-67182/tutun-bagimliligi.html).

Tobacco smoke is one of the most dangerous substances that cause indoor air pollution. Cigarettes contain over 7000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer, including Polonium, Radon (Radiation), Methanol (Missile Fuel), Toluene (Thinner), DDT (Insecticide), Hydrogen Cyanide (Gas Chamber Poison), Acetone (Nail Polish Remover), Arsenic (Rat Poison), Ammonia (Toilet Cleaner), Tar, Carbon Monoxide and Nicotine (Dr. Meltem Şengelen).

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TOBACCO ADDICTION?

Inability to control use
Prioritizing tobacco use in every area, making excuses to use tobacco (Before and after meals, with tea and coffee, before going to bed, as soon as you wake up in the morning)
Continuing to use tobacco despite encountering its harms (Bad smell, difficulty going uphill, inability to run, etc.)
Developing tolerance (Losing the old effect of smoking, smoking more cigarettes to compensate for this loss of effect)
Exhibiting withdrawal symptoms when nicotine is reduced or stopped

(Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. It causes symptoms such as quick temper, dizziness, increased appetite, low blood pressure and insomnia)
Smoking in more dangerous ways in the future (While walking, going uphill, lying down, etc.)

(https://www.yesilay.org.tr/tr/bagimlilik/tutun-bagimliligi)

WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TOBACCO ADDICTION?

First of all, cigarettes are seen as a transition product to other addictive harmful habits. Especially tobacco, which is used at an early age, makes it easier to use other addictive substances.

As we mentioned above, there are many chemicals in cigarettes. Individuals who smoke consume substances that they cannot consume in their pure form in daily life many times every day through cigarettes. This situation causes the person to encounter negativities from the moment they start smoking. As soon as a person smokes, their heart rate increases, blood flow to their fingers slows down, their stomach gets upset, they feel dizzy, they lose their appetite and they encounter kidney problems. In the later stages, tooth decay and staining, hair loss, constant coughing, infertility, various types of cancer, respiratory tract, cardiovascular diseases may occur. Many positive effects are observed in the person from the moment they quit smoking. The person's heart rate returns to normal levels, blood pressure decreases, blood circulation is regulated, and the risk of heart disease, lung, pancreas and bladder cancer decreases (OECD indicators, 2019).

WHAT TO DO?

Since cigarettes are an easily accessible addictive substance, parents should be very careful about this issue. Parents are role models for children. Children act out the behaviors they see from their parents. If parents smoke, they should do so away from their children and in places where they will not see them. Care should be taken not to smoke inside the house.

If parents notice that their children are smoking, they should not overreact to them. First of all, it is necessary to understand why the child started smoking (friendship or pressure, looking cool, etc.). Then, smoking should be explained to the child in all its dimensions. Both the problems he will experience as soon as he smokes and the possible illnesses he will encounter in the future should be explained. The child should be directed to activities that will keep him away from smoking, especially sports activities.

If the addict is an adult, he should design an environment that will keep him away from smoking. Any substance that reminds him of smoking should be removed. After quitting smoking, teeth should be brushed 3-4 times a day to avoid starting again. In addition, plenty of fluids should be taken into the body. Care should be taken to have a balanced diet. Fresh air should be taken frequently. Finally, exercise is an important factor in quitting smoking permanently.