...
Select a Country
Search Results
KOKU” (5)

Sorry, we couldn't find the content you were looking for.
Want to try another word or term?

Logo

TOBACCO ADDICTION

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.

What Health Problems Does Tobacco Addiction Cause?

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).

What are the known side effects of tobacco?

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:

  • Decreased appetite
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Vascular blockages
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Obstructive lung disease
  • Cerebrovascular diseases and peripheral vascular diseases
  • What are the Effects of Tobacco Addiction?
  • It affects different parts of the central nervous system, leading to physical and psychological health problems. Some of these effects include:
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Lung diseases and COPD due to bronchial constriction
  • Vascular blockages and related strokes
  • Gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancer
  • Yellowing of the skin, wrinkles, and skin cancer
  • Bad breath and yellowing of teeth
  • Smoking during pregnancy leads to premature birth and various developmental disorders.

What happens after quitting smoking?

After discontinuing the use of tobacco products, some positive developments in the body are as follows:

  • Nicotine begins to leave the body 2 hours after quitting smoking.
  • Heart rate and blood pressure start to decrease after 6 hours.
  • After 12 hours, toxic carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke is cleared from the circulation, allowing the lungs to function better.
  • Taste and smell senses sharpen after 2 days.
  • Within 2-12 weeks, circulation improves, making physical activities like walking and running easier.
  • Coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and lung strength improve after 3-9 weeks.
  • The risk of a heart attack is halved within 5 years.
  • After 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is halved, and the risk of a heart attack becomes the same as that of a person who has never smoked.

What is passive smoking or exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke?

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:

  • Smoke from a burning cigarette contains around 4,000 chemicals and toxins, 50 of which are carcinogenic.
  • A cigarette burns for about 12 minutes, but a smoker only inhales it for about 30 seconds. The remaining smoke is inhaled by people nearby.
  • Smoke released into the environment is more harmful than the smoke directly inhaled by the smoker because it spreads at a lower temperature.
  • Environmental tobacco smoke contains three times more nicotine, 70% more tar, and 2.5 times more carbon monoxide than the smoke directly inhaled.
  • Children exposed to tobacco smoke have a higher risk of respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis, colds, middle ear issues, and reduced lung function.
  • Approximately two-thirds of a cigarette is released into the air.

More Latest News

...

Following the successful completion of the Addiction Prevention Training Program (TBM) held on 4–5 October 2025, a follow-up online supervision session titled “IFGC TBM 2025 Follow-up Process and Supervision Session” was organized on 18 February 2026. The session was jointly conducted by the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and the Turkish Green Crescent Society through its Training Management Department, with the aim of monitoring implementation processes and strengthening the capacities of certified practitioners across countries. The one-and-a-half-hour program was led by Afra Sevde Çelebi. Trainers who have been actively delivering addiction prevention education in their respective countries shared their field experiences, discussed challenges encountered during implementation, and reflected on the outcomes of their activities. Participants emphasized the transformative, developmental, interactive, and community-centered impact of the TBM trainings. In several countries, the sessions generated renewed training requests, led to the establishment of parent support networks, and encouraged the formation of youth volunteer teams. A total of 16 participants from 12 countries attended the supervision session, representing Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Somalia), North Africa (Tunisia), Europe (Greece, Kosovo), South America (Colombia), and Southeast Asia (Indonesia). This wide geographical representation once again demonstrated the multi-continental reach of the Green Crescent’s prevention model and its adaptability to diverse cultural and regional contexts. IFGC and the Turkish Green Crescent Society remain committed to sustaining capacity-building efforts, enhancing the quality of addiction prevention practices, and fostering continuous knowledge exchange among international practitioners.  

Read More
...

The Board of Directors Meeting of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC), whose permanent secretariat is carried out by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, was held on 29–30 January 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. During the meeting, the Federation’s ongoing activities were reviewed, and key issues related to organizational structure, governance processes, and strategic priorities were discussed. The meeting was attended by IFGC Board Members and IFGC Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu. Participants included Kazım Ateş, President of Green Crescent Australia (Australia); Petar Gramatikof, Board Member of Yeshilay Bulgaria Association (Bulgaria); Shagabitdin Kerimov, President of Dagestan Green Crescent (Dagestan); Era Catur Prasetya, President of Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia (Indonesia); Nihad Dervisevic, Secretary General of Zeleni Krst – Zeleni Polumsejec (Serbia); and Magid Mayanja Kagimu, President of the Uganda Green Crescent Society (Uganda). Following the Board Meeting, participants attended the Strong Family Workshop organized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society. Conducted through interactive dialogue, the workshop addressed effective parent–child communication methods and protective approaches against addictions. As part of the program, on Friday, 30 January 2026, the IFGC Board Members carried out a field visit to the Bursa Green Crescent Rehabilitation Center. During the visit, participants received comprehensive information on the Center’s services and had the opportunity to observe Türkiye’s rehabilitation and treatment practices on site.  The field visit included a detailed presentation by Tuba Bilmişoğlu, Director of the Bursa Green Crescent Rehabilitation Center. Board Members examined rehabilitation and treatment approaches firsthand and exchanged views with expert professionals on addiction prevention, recovery processes, and psychosocial support practices. The visit contributed to the international sharing of the Green Crescent’s experience in the field of rehabilitation. The IFGC Board of Directors Meeting aims to strengthen the Federation’s strategic direction, enhance governance capacity, promote international cooperation, and further reinforce its global role in addiction prevention, treatment, and public health advocacy.   

Read More

Contact Us

We would like to evaluate cooperation opportunities and communicate for joint projects.

Our Focus Points

To answer your questions in the fields of Addiction and Public Health...

All rights are reserved 2026 © International Federation of Green Cresent

Personal Data Protection Policy

Terms and Conditions

Copyright 2026 © International Federation of Green Cresent