Turkey Health Experts Call Smoking a Chronic Disease

Dr. Sultan İlay Tunçez, a specialist at Düzce Atatürk State Hospital’s Healthy Life Center, said the World Health Organization classifies nicotine dependence as a chronic disease, not merely a habit. Her clinic provides free counseling, detailed smoking‑use assessment, medication, nicotine‑replacement therapy and up to a year of follow‑up via video, phone or face‑to‑face visits to support quitting.

Dr. Efsun Somay, a dental implant specialist, warned that smoking is the leading cause of implant loss because it impairs bone integration. She outlined the implant process, emphasized strict post‑operative oral care, the use of FDA‑approved “clean” implants, and urged patients to cease smoking to improve success rates.