CIGARETTES are the deadliest form of mass poisoning in the world!
What Are Tobacco and Nicotine?
Tobacco is a plant from the nightshade family. It is believed to have been discovered in South America in 1559. Tobacco leaves contain "NICOTINE," a highly addictive stimulant alkaloid. Nicotine increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, and increases the risk of blood clotting. Tobacco is consumed in society through various methods such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, cigarillos, hookahs, and chewing tobacco. The most common form of tobacco consumption is smoking cigarettes.
The Toxic Substances in Cigarettes
In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain approximately 7,000 different chemicals, 70-80 of which are directly linked to cancer. These substances emerge primarily from the burning of tobacco and cigarette paper. Some of these chemicals may sound very familiar to you:
- Naphthalene
- Cadmium
- Formaldehyde
- Cyanide
- Ammonia
- Arsenic
- Acetone
- Carbon monoxide
- And many more toxins
Diseases Caused by Smoking
Every day, 12,000 people worldwide die solely due to smoking. This equates to approximately 4.5 million deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies tobacco addiction as a disease. It has an ICD-10 disease code (F17.2 - addiction).
Cigarettes are a leading cause of lung cancer and are also strongly linked to cancers of the mouth, lips, tongue, larynx, pancreas, bladder, kidneys, prostate, and cervix. Even non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke face a threefold increase in lung cancer risk.
In addition to cancer, smoking significantly increases the risk of other diseases, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease (Buerger's disease)
- Stomach ulcers and gastritis
- Impotence
- Infertility
- Preterm birth
- Miscarriages
- Low birth weight in newborns
- Cataracts
- Osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures
- Vascular diseases throughout the body
- Premature skin aging
- Tooth decay
- Chronic bad breath
Smoking is also the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Additionally, children of smoking mothers are more likely to develop asthma.
The Prevalence of Smoking
Among nearly 200 countries, Turkey ranks 10th in cigarette consumption. Globally, 50% of adult men and 15% of adult women smoke, with similar statistics observed in Turkey.
Factors Contributing to Tobacco Addiction
About 70% of smokers want to quit, yet the success rate of quitting independently is only 5%. This is because nicotine is a highly potent psychoactive stimulant. Its addictive potential is comparable to that of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, increasing dopamine and opioid peptide levels, creating an effect similar to that of narcotics.
Some individuals have genetic variations in the Dopamine D2 gene, which prevents them from developing nicotine dependence. These individuals can smoke occasionally without becoming addicted. However, since this genetic advantage is extremely rare, most smokers require professional assistance to quit.
Methods for Quitting Smoking
Tobacco addiction consists of two main components:
- Substance (nicotine) dependence
- Psychosocial dependence
For nicotine dependence, treatments include nicotine replacement therapies, bupropion, and varenicline. Psychosocial dependence may require behavioral therapy, education, and psychiatric support. Additionally, alternative techniques such as acupuncture, hypnosis, and bioresonance have proven effective for both types of addiction.
Bioresonance (MORA Therapy)
For over a decade, our smoking cessation clinic has utilized various treatment methods, with Bioresonance (MORA Therapy) being the most successful and widely used.
MORA Therapy is a completely safe, fast, and effective smoking cessation method. It is a painless, non-invasive treatment that does not involve any chemicals, radiation, or magnetic fields. Instead, it uses radio waves to block nicotine receptors, reducing dependence. The treatment lasts approximately one hour and has no side effects or contraindications.
At our clinic, we combine MORA Therapy with a 30-40 minute educational session, increasing the success rate to 90%. After quitting smoking, some individuals may experience temporary side effects such as oral ulcers, phlegm buildup, and mild weight gain. We closely monitor and support our patients during this adaptation period to ensure a smooth transition to a smoke-free life.
Wishing you all healthy days and smoke-free breaths…
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür İNCE
Pulmonology Specialist
