Stating that smoking addiction ranks first among the preventable causes of death, Uzm. Dr. Aziz Uluışık emphasized that more than 7 million people in the world die from causes related to smoking every year. Noting that according to the Tobacco Atlas prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation, 31 percent of Turkish men are in the 2nd place in deaths from tobacco-related diseases, Dr. from Liv Hospital Samsun Chest Diseases Clinic. Dr. Aziz Uluışık has warned about the ‘World No Tobacco Day’.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 4 THOUSAND CHEMICALS MORE THAN 80 CANCER CAUSES
Reminding that smoking is the most important factor that increases the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases, Uzm. Dr. Aziz Uluışık said, “More than 80 of the more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke have cancer-causing properties. It is known that 8 out of 10 patients with lung cancer are smokers. Lung cancer, which is an insidious disease, can only be diagnosed at an advanced stage in 60-70% of cases.
TURKEY IS THE WORLD SECOND IN TOBACCO MALE DEATH!
Stating that 90 percent of COPD, which is the fourth most deadly disease today, is caused by smoking, Uzm. Dr. Aziz Uluışık said, “According to WHO data, the number of smokers worldwide is 1 billion 100 million people. 7 million people die annually due to smoking. According to the Tobacco Atlas prepared by WHO, American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation, 31 percent of men in Turkey die due to tobacco-related diseases. This rate is the second highest in the world after North Korea. The rate for women is 12 percent, which is equivalent to the average of middle-income countries.
FATAL DAMAGES OF SMOKING
Talking about the harm caused by smoking, Dr. Dr. Aziz Uluışık continued:
“Today, the fourth most deadly disease of COPD, 90 percent of the cause is smoking. Smoking is responsible for 10-30% of deaths due to coronary heart disease. Smoking 1-4 cigarettes a day and even being a passive smoker increases the risk of developing heart and lung diseases. The incidence of laryngeal cancer, prostate cancer and bladder cancer is increasing significantly. It increases the risk of gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer in the stomach. It has been proven that smoking during pregnancy is harmful to the baby. Smokers have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. The risk of infertility, preterm birth, premature menopause increases. Fatigue, weakness, stress and insomnia can be seen during the day. There are also aesthetic damages of smoking such as wrinkles on the skin, yellowing of the teeth and the formation of bad odor in the mouth. The only thing we can say about smoking, which is harmful to our health in every way, is to quit smoking and quit life.”
THE RELATIONSHIP OF SMOKING AND COVID-19
Associated with smoking and Covid-19, Dr. Dr. Aziz Uluışık concluded his statement as follows:
“Covid-19 infection, which started to appear as of December 2019, also directly damages both the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system. On the other hand, available information shows that individuals with chronic respiratory diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and COPD, which are the main diseases caused by smoking, have a higher risk of developing the disease when they get Covid-19 disease, compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, these diseases that develop due to smoking are direct risk factors for severe Covid-19 disease. On the other hand, smoking facilitates the development of lower respiratory tract infections by blocking the protective mechanisms in our respiratory tract. This makes it an important risk factor for Covid-19 infection. For all these reasons, quitting smoking is important and a priority.”