The use of tobacco products is the most common cause of preventable cardiovascular death worldwide. Cessation of smoking in individuals of all ages has proven to be very beneficial for health. Quitting smoking, which is a risk factor for many diseases, also helps to stop the progression of various diseases such as chronic kidney failure. The benefits of quitting smoking depend on the intensity and duration of previous exposure to tobacco smoke. While those who quit smoking are expected to have a longer life expectancy, the probability of catching coronary heart disease, cancer and various lung diseases caused by tobacco products is low in those who quit smoking. In addition, because it is an addictive product, quitting smoking may not be possible for every person. In this case, reducing the number of cigarettes smoked daily is recommended by doctors. However, it is still a matter of debate whether reducing smoking has beneficial effects on health as much as quitting altogether. Studies have found that even those who smoke 10 cigarettes or less per day have various health risks. These people are 2.34 times more likely to develop smoking-related cancer. Quitting smoking reduces these risks. Quitting smoking, especially at a younger age, contributes to an even lower risk.

What are the Harms of Smoking?

The nicotine in cigarettes is as addictive as heroin. Therefore, it is very difficult to oppose nicotine addiction. Additional nicotine receptors are formed in the brain to adapt to the abundant nicotine found in cigarettes. Therefore, when not enough nicotine is taken, nicotine withdrawal can occur, which leads to feeling anxious and nervous. Smoking has serious effects on the circulatory system. Smoking causes the blood to become darker and its fluidity to decrease. For this reason, the risk of clot formation in the veins increases. Problems with blood flow to the brain, heart, and legs occur, leading to serious health problems such as heart attack or stroke. Smoking, which can cause occlusion of the leg veins, can result in amputation of the toes or feet. Cigarette smoke, which also affects the respiratory tract, causes tissue damage in the lungs. For this reason, the risk of developing various respiratory diseases and lung cancer is also increased. Smoking, which also affects the muscles and bones, causes muscle wear and easy fatigue, while reducing the formation of healthy bone tissue. Smokers experience a decrease in the amount of oxygen produced in the inner ear, and therefore hearing loss may occur. It also increases the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness. Smoking, which causes drying of the skin and loss of elasticity, leads to wrinkles. Cigarette smoke causes a variety of oral problems. Tooth decay, mouth sores and gum disease are more common in smokers. Smoking is also one of the most important risk factors for the formation of various cancers.

What is Passive Smoking?

Passive smoking means breathing in the smoke of someone else's cigarette. It increases the risk of respiratory tract diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in children. Passive smoking is a very dangerous situation as it causes a significant increase in lung cancer-related morbidity and mortality rates. A study conducted in non-smoking spouses of smokers revealed that passive smoking causes an increase in the rate of lung cancer by 20-30%. Studies have shown that secondhand smoke also contributes to potentially fatal health problems such as heart disease and stroke. For this reason, quitting smoking has a positive effect not only on that person, but also on other family members who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke stays in the lungs for a certain period of time. For this reason, even if cigarettes are smoked outside, harmful substances in cigarette smoke spread to the environment during breathing when you enter the house. This situation brings serious risks in terms of health.

What Are the Benefits of Quitting Smoking?

The benefits of quitting smoking appear from the very first moment. Heart rate and blood pressure decrease in the first 20 minutes after smoking cessation. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in the circulatory system returns to normal. Within a few months, improvement begins in the circulatory system and lung functions. 1 year after quitting smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease is halved, and 15 years later it drops to the same level as non-smokers. In addition, after a certain period of time, the risk of developing various cancers begins to decrease. When the addiction cycle is broken, the nicotine receptors in the brain return to their original state, so nicotine withdrawal is not felt. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of clot formation in the bloodstream, thereby reducing the likelihood of a heart attack. It also contributes to clearer hearing and vision, while making the skin look cleaner. Lungs affected by cigarette smoke begin to heal after smoking cessation, and the damage to the lungs stops. In addition, it provides a healthier sexual life. It also contributes to a better immune system.

What are the methods that can be applied to quit smoking?

Quitting smoking is difficult for many, as it leads to nicotine addiction. However, preparing and sticking to a smoking cessation plan is the most important step in quitting smoking. In the smoking cessation process, it is important to focus on the process and seek help from other people if necessary. Being clear about quitting smoking and widening the social circle by staying away from stressful situations helps to get through this process more easily. Since nicotine receptors increased in the brain due to smoking can cause deprivation in this process, it is very important to apply to health institutions. In order to quit smoking, people with cigarette and nicotine addiction can start various treatment methods in outpatient clinics.

What are the Treatment Methods to Help Quit Smoking?

In the relevant departments of health institutions, treatment methods are applied to assist smoking cessation. For smoking cessation, nicotine replacement therapy and drugs containing bupropion or varenicline active ingredients are used. These treatment methods reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Instead of waiting for people who have decided to quit smoking but are not ready yet, drug treatment can be started. In particular, the use of varenicline is more preferred than nicotine replacement therapy in these people. Behavioral therapy can be applied by psychologists or psychiatrists apart from drug therapy. However, the combination of both behavioral therapy and drug therapy is more effective on smoking cessation.

Cigarette is an addictive tobacco product and is very harmful for both the person using it and the people close to it. It can be very difficult to quit smoking because the nicotine in its content causes addiction. For this reason, it is very important for people who want to quit smoking to seek professional help by applying to health institutions.