Turkish Green Crescent Society, as one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in the world fighting against addictions, continues its struggle, which started with alcohol, in the fields of tobacco, substance, gambling and finally technology addiction.
President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, Prof. Dr. Mücahit Öztürk, World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use causes the death of 8 million people in the world every year; Stating that more than 1,2 million of these deaths were caused by passive smoking and 65 thousand of them occurred among children, he said, “The toxin (poison) in tobacco products and other substances that can cause cancer spread into the air from the burning cigarette, creating a toxic environment for those near the smoker. For this reason, the situation of those who are exposed to tobacco even though they do not use tobacco is of great importance. It is known that children exposed to cigarette smoke have a higher risk of respiratory system problems such as asthma, bronchitis, colds, middle ear problems and decreased lung function. That's why smoke-free airspace is so important. In 2008, only 5% of the world's population was covered by smoke-free air, but today more than a quarter of the world's population is covered by this practice. "In the last 15 years, the number of countries covered by smoke-free airspace applications has increased from 2007 in 10 to 2022 in 74," he said.
“Youth are at risk”
Drawing attention to the danger posed by newly developed tobacco and nicotine products in the world, President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, Prof. Dr. Mücahit Öztürk reminded that Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), known as electronic cigarettes, were released in 2008-2009 and pointed out that there are still no bans or regulations addressing ENDS in 84 countries.
The tobacco industry promotes these products as harmless products that help quit smoking; Prof. said that these products are marketed as "clean", "smoke-free" or "safer". Dr. Mücahit Öztürk said, “E-cigarette use among children and adolescents increases the likelihood of using traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products. Electronic cigarette use among children and adolescents under the age of 20 is increasing not only due to the harmful effects of nicotine in this age group; "It is also worrying because the use of electronic cigarettes may lead them to start using other tobacco products in the future and become addicted to tobacco products," he said.
