Our Chairman of the Board of Trustees and also the President of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, made statements on the negative effects of these products on health, which are presented by the tobacco industry as alternatives to quitting smoking, on the occasion of May 31 World No Tobacco Day.
For those who want to quit smoking, turning to electronic cigarettes and their derivatives—believed to be less harmful—is a frequently preferred method. However, it is known that such products negatively affect many organs, especially the lungs and heart, due to their high nicotine content. Drawing attention to the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products presented as alternatives to smoking, Istanbul Aydın University Chairman of the Board of Trustees and also President of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın said, “Electronic cigarettes offered as alternatives to those who want to quit smoking pose a great danger both to our own health and to public health. These types of cigarettes are promoted for use by the tobacco industry with claims that they are ‘less harmful.’ This misleads people and directs them incorrectly.”
“The Age of Starting Smoking Is Quite Low”
Stating that the age of starting to smoke has decreased significantly in recent years, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın said, “I regret to state that the age of starting smoking has dropped considerably, especially in recent years. Our children, who are the guarantee of our future, are introduced to this poison at a very young age due to reasons such as peer pressure and the desire for social acceptance. Due to environmental factors and peer pressure, quitting smoking is also quite difficult. As a result, the use of electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly widespread, especially among younger generations.”
“It Seriously Threatens Human Health”
Noting that electronic cigarettes increase the risk of diseases in the stomach and intestines as well as primarily in the lungs and heart, and that they cause serious damage to the brain leading to inflammation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın stated, “Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, like conventional cigarettes, seriously threaten human health. For this reason, we must meticulously focus on this issue to raise awareness in our society.” He thus drew attention to the negative effects of electronic cigarettes on human health.
“Society Should Be Informed by Explaining the Harms of Electronic Cigarettes and Their Derivatives”
Stating that electronic cigarettes and their derivatives are as harmful as conventional cigarettes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın said, “This situation should be explained very well to our society to raise awareness among our people. Electronic cigarettes, which contain high amounts of nicotine and harmful chemicals such as nickel and lead, are also addictive. They significantly affect brain development in individuals who start at an early age, and increase the risk of heart disease and depression.”
Emphasizing that resorting to electronic cigarettes to overcome smoking addiction is a major mistake, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydın concluded by saying, “The harms of electronic cigarettes should be well explained to our society and especially to our youth. May 31 World No Tobacco Day should be a milestone for everyone; on this special day, please quit smoking.”
