Medical experts warn of nicotine's impact on brain development and pregnancy

Medical experts are warning about the severe neurological and developmental impacts of nicotine use. Prof. Dr. Kültegin Ögel notes that nicotine has a high addiction potential and can disrupt the brain's ability to self-regulate, specifically affecting attention, memory, and reasoning skills in children and adolescents. He emphasized that nicotine use can act as a gateway to other addictions, such as alcohol and drugs.

Regarding pregnancy, Prof. Dr. Elif Özalkaya stated there is no safe level of exposure to cigarette smoke. Active smoking or passive exposure during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, prematurity, and intrauterine growth restriction. Nicotine crossing the placenta can impair fetal oxygenation, potentially causing long-term issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), lung dysfunction, and asthma.

Experts also clarified that electronic cigarettes and 'puff' products carry similar risks to traditional tobacco. For those struggling with addiction, specialized centers in Turkey, including AMATEM, ÇEMATEM, and YEDAM, are available to provide assistance.