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Taking measures to prevent diseases, improve our health, and extend our lifespan
A disease affecting people from all walks of life
The condition where technology controls a person
Individuals may be referred to addiction treatment centers if deemed necessary
Promoting mental well-being by coping with stress and recognizing abilities
One of the most widely abused substances globally due to nicotine addiction
Activation of the brain's reward pleasure mechanism by repeating a certain behavior
Complete well-being physically, mentally, and socially
A product containing vaporized nicotine reported as harmful.
1.85 million out of 3 million deaths in 2017 were preventable.
The process of recovery by combating addiction
Inability to quit substances despite knowing the physical and psychological harms
Risking something valuable in hopes of gaining something more valuable
The beginning of the body's purification process after quitting substance use
The process of reintegrating into society healthily
Tobacco addiction can be simply defined as the constant desire to use tobacco products and the inability to quit this usage. However, a more meaningful understanding of tobacco addiction can be achieved by examining it within a three-dimensional structure that includes neurochemical (related to nicotine) addiction, the psychological addiction dimension, and physical habits related to tobacco product consumption.
Tobacco use contributes to the development of the following diseases:
• Various types of cancer (lung, stomach, skin, cervical, etc.)
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Diabetes
• Respiratory diseases
• Gastric disorders such as gastritis and ulcers
• Dental and gum diseases
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, miscarriage, developmental disorders in children, and cessation of breastfeeding
Tobacco use is a critical public health issue, increasing both the overall disease risk and health burden of the population. According to the World Health Organization’s Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2025, smoking is the leading factor that increases the risk of premature death. Among those who continue to use tobacco, nearly half may die as a result of its effects (World Health Organization, 2025).
The main symptoms of tobacco addiction include:
Persistent tobacco use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., neglecting job responsibilities).
The original substance of tobacco is a dark liquid called nicotine, which is a colorless, bitter liquid and fundamentally a poison. Nicotine, which can also be produced synthetically, is used as an agricultural pesticide. The known side effects of tobacco include:
After discontinuing the use of tobacco products, some positive developments in the body are as follows:
Tobacco use can cause serious health consequences not only for users but also for those who are not actively using tobacco. The toxins and other cancer-causing substances in tobacco products are released into the air from burning cigarettes, creating a toxic environment for people nearby. Therefore, the health of individuals exposed to tobacco smoke despite not using it themselves is of great importance. This exposure is referred to as passive smoking or secondhand tobacco smoke exposure. Secondhand smoke fills enclosed spaces when tobacco products such as cigarettes and hookahs are used. Inhalation of this smoke is called passive smoking.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2020 statement, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is particularly harmful at an early age. Approximately half of the world’s children breathe air contaminated with tobacco smoke, leading to serious health problems.
The dangers of passive smoking include:
For more detailed information on the topics covered in this section, you may refer to the following sources:
• 101 Questions on Addiction (2019). [Link: 101 Soruda Bağımlılık | Yeşilay (yesilay.org.tr)]
• World Health Organization. (2020). Tobacco: health benefits of smoking cessation. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/tobacco-health-benefits-of-smoking-cessation
• World Health Organization. (2025). WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2025: warning about the dangers of tobacco . [Link: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088283 ]
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