Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari, stating that e-cigarette use can trigger addiction, warned, “Electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, and nicotine increases dopamine release in the brain. It creates a rapid reward cycle. It develops a strong addiction.” Professor Dr. Ensari added that e-cigarettes, especially for adolescents and young adults, serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari, a faculty member at the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, stated in her statement regarding February 9th, World Quit Smoking Day, that nicotine addiction is a brain disease.
Tobacco Use Disorder is a type of addiction that is a brain disease…
Stating that smoking addiction is defined as a disease under the diagnosis of 'Tobacco Use Disorder' according to DSM-5 TR, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, "Nicotine, found in cigarettes, is a psychoactive substance with a high addiction potential that directly affects the brain's reward, learning, and impulse control systems."
According to data from the Ministry of Health, tobacco use continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and deaths in Türkiye, stated Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, adding that this shows that smoking addiction is not an individual health problem, but a societal one.
Nicotine addiction is defined by a loss of control.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari stated that there is no single criterion for determining addiction to cigarette use, saying, "If we were to answer the frequently asked question in society, 'How many cigarettes a day count as addiction?', addiction is defined not by quantity, but by loss of control. Even smoking one cigarette can be the beginning of addiction."
The idea that "I drink little, I'm not addicted" is wrong.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari, also touching upon the criteria used to diagnose addiction, warned: “If a person wants to quit or reduce smoking but cannot; if they have intense cravings; if they experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating when they quit smoking; if they continue to smoke despite the harm they are experiencing; and if their attempts to quit are unsuccessful, then we can talk about nicotine addiction. It is particularly important to emphasize that the thought 'I smoke little, so I'm not addicted' is one of the most common misconceptions in addiction.”
You can contact the Alo 171 Information Line.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari stated that smoking addiction is treatable, saying, “Smoking addiction is a treatable disease. The Ministry of Health has opened Smoking Cessation Clinics throughout the country, and free counseling and, for suitable patients, medication support are offered through the ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Helpline. To quit smoking, one can contact the ALO 171 helpline, smoking cessation clinics, and mental health specialists. Treatment and follow-up in quitting smoking are carried out through pharmacological treatment, psychosocial support, and motivational interviews.”
E-cigarette use can prolong addiction.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari stated that in recent years, e-cigarettes have been presented in some circles as a "method of quitting," but warned, "However, based on scientific sources, e-cigarettes are not among the standard evidence-based treatments. On the contrary, many e-cigarette users develop dual use (cigarettes + e-cigarettes). This situation can prolong addiction instead of making it easier to quit."
E-cigarettes trigger and reinforce nicotine addiction.
Professor Dr. Hülya Ensari stated that e-cigarette use can trigger addiction, saying, “Electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, and nicotine increases dopamine release in the brain. It creates a rapid reward cycle. It develops strong addiction. Based on scientific sources, we can say that the addictive effect of nicotine is always present and continues regardless of the device used. Therefore, e-cigarettes also trigger and reinforce nicotine addiction.”
E-cigarettes provide a gateway to nicotine addiction.
Emphasizing that e-cigarettes serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction, especially for adolescents and young adults, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari stated, “The misconception that the flavorings in e-cigarettes are 'less harmful,' and the marketing language targeting young people, play a significant role in the spread of electronic cigarettes. These products serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction, especially for adolescents and young adults. Electronic cigarettes are used as important tools in presenting addiction in a new and more acceptable way.”
The harmful effects of e-cigarettes on the lungs.
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari stated that although e-cigarettes do not contain smoke, they damage the lungs through inflammation and airway damage caused by toxic aerosol particles and chemical irritants that reach the lungs. Prof. Dr. Ensari said, “EVALI (E-Cigarette Associated Lung Injury) cases defined in the Ministry of Health and international literature clearly show that these products are not safe for the lungs. All scientific data considers the lack of knowledge about the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes as an increased risk, not a protective measure.”
Get help to quit smoking.
Stating that cigarette and e-cigarette addiction are different manifestations of the same disease, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari concluded her remarks as follows:
“Nicotine addiction is not a matter of willpower, but a mental illness that needs to be treated. If we truly want to quit smoking, it is only possible by staying away from all forms of nicotine. World Quit Smoking Day is an important opportunity to seek help and quit with scientific support. Please prioritize your health and stay away from any form of nicotine that appeals to you, whether it's cigarettes or e-cigarettes. If you find it difficult to do so, please seek support from the nearest mental health specialist, smoking cessation clinics, or the Alo 171 Helpline… Your health is more important than anything else; don't forget that.”
