9th of February has been recognized by the World Health Organization in 1987 as the World Smoking Cessation Day and various informational activities are organized in order to raise public awareness. In this context, Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Füsun Yıldız MD., answered our questions.
What do you want to tell us about the harms of cigarette and other tobacco products, and the new products that have been released to the market recently?
Smoking and tobacco use can harm every organ including our hair and nails, which can lead to health problems including premature death in about 1 out of 2 individuals. Smokers and the non-smokers face all sorts of negative impacts of this addiction while the tobacco industry is getting more and more rich every day. This deadly industry recently focuses marketing towards individuals willing to quit smoking by promoting their new products such as electronic cigarettes as a less harmful tobacco product or smoking cessation method.
In this case, what is the role of health care workers?
At this point, it is the duty of physicians and health institutions to provide accurate information about tobacco and tobacco products such as cigarettes. Also awareness should be increased by raising information on special occasions such as the 9th of February, World Smoking Cessation Day, and to not focus on preferring another similar harmful product but to stop smoking completely is the best way.
What would you like to say about cessation methods and treatment?
Cigarette addiction is a treatable disease, but requires personal determination. The supportive treatment should be performed by a specialist using evidence-based medicine. Support from the right physicians in this regard is the easiest and quickest way to be successful. Life-long health will take the place of the experienced short-term stress during the smoking cessation process, which will have positive impact on both the individual and his/her family.
What are the stages of treatment?
Treatment consists of 3 phases; psychological, behavioural and nicotine addiction. Level of tobacco dependence is determined by various tests such as chest x-ray, pulmonary function test and if necessary medicines and psychological support may be useful for the treatment. Cessation of smoking causes the emergence of withdrawal symptoms; irritability, restlessness, low concentration and anxiety. Also in accordance with the dependence level of the person, nicotine replacement therapy methods like nicotine inhaler, gum or patch can be used. Bupropion and varenicline are non-nicotine medications used for smoking cessation. If the addiction is based on psychological dependence, psychological support and behavioural therapies should be applied. Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Smoking Cessation Polyclinic provides service for individuals that wants to stop smoking.
Finally, what would you like to say to those who want to quit smoking?
Make a decision, don’t give up and enjoy a smoke-free healthy life.