Smoking affects both health and the environment

Bozkurt, in his statement to the AA correspondent, said that smoking causes many diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

Stating that lung cancer ranks first in Türkiye in terms of both incidence and deaths in men, Bozkurt drew attention to the effects of smoking on cardiovascular health.

Bozkurt said, "Smoking is responsible for approximately 50 percent of heart attacks. The cause of death of one of every two people who have a heart attack is exposure to smoking. It creates plaques in all vessels, especially the heart vessels." he said.

Prof. Dr. Ali İhsan Bozkurt noted that smoking, which causes plaque formation on the vascular walls, can cause vascular occlusion, heart attack and stroke, and in advanced cases, can lead to limb loss.

Emphasizing that smoking in the family increases children's exposure to harmful substances, Bozkurt stated that parents should quit smoking, and those who cannot do this should at least not smoke at home and in the vehicle.

Butts pollute the environment

Explaining that approximately 6 trillion cigarettes are consumed annually in the world, Bozkurt said:

"4.5 trillion of these are thrown into the environment. Cigarette butts remain on the soil surface, do not pass into the subsoil. They affect the plants, grass, and everything that grows there. They mix with rainwater and the seas. In fact, one of the factors that we ignore but pollute the environment the most are cigarettes and their butts."

Stating that cigarette smoke also affects people who do not smoke in closed environments, Bozkurt said that cigarettes contain carcinogenic and toxic substances.

Bozkurt stated that he found the smoking bans on some beaches in Antalya important and that similar practices should be implemented in areas used by children.

Stating that there are exemplary practices in this regard in Europe, Bozkurt hoped that the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Antalya would raise awareness on this issue.

Smoking causes premature aging of the skin

Emphasizing that smoking also negatively affects skin health, Bozkurt stated that it can cause wrinkles, especially around the eyes, by affecting the superficial vessels.

Bozkurt pointed out that social media can increase smoking among young people and said that regulations should be made in this area.

Prof. Dr. Ali İhsan Bozkurt added that with the work of the Ministry of Health, the number of smoking cessation clinics has increased and free access to drugs used to quit smoking has become easier.