Near East University Hospital announced on National Quit Smoking Day that its newly established “Smoking Cessation Clinic” will open on February 17th.
Smoking addiction is one of the most significant problems directly threatening public health today. Near East University Hospital organized an informative panel as part of National Quit Smoking Day in order to draw attention to this threat and increase public awareness. The “Smoking Cessation Treatment in All Aspects Panel,” held at Near East University Hospital, addressed the fight against smoking addiction from all angles. During the panel, it was announced that the “Smoking Cessation Clinic,” established within Near East University Hospital, will begin providing services on Tuesday, February 17th.
The event, held in Hall 101 of Near East University Hospital with high participation, was attended by Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Near East University Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Salih Müjdat Balkan, and numerous healthcare personnel and academics. Expert physicians and academics discussed current smoking cessation treatments, holistic approaches to addiction, and sustainable solutions at the panel. It was emphasized that smoking addiction should be treated not only from a physical perspective but also from psychological and behavioral standpoints, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment models.
“Smoking Cessation Clinic” Opens on February 17th!
The panel also announced that the “Smoking Cessation Clinic”, established within the Near East University Hospital, will begin providing services on Tuesday, February 17th. Prior to addiction treatment, patients will undergo a comprehensive assessment of their general health. This includes complete blood tests such as creatinine, urea, CRP (sensitive), AST (SGOT), and ALT (SGPT), as well as chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, reversibility tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), smoking cessation treatment examination, a psychologist consultation, and psychometric tests.
The treatment process is planned as a 12-month follow-up and assessment program. During this process, complete blood count, creatinine, urea, AST (SGOT), and ALT (SGPT) tests will be performed three times each, while chest X-ray, pulmonary function and reversibility tests, a psychologist interview, and a psychometric test will be performed once each to regularly monitor the patient’s condition. In addition, patients will undergo six smoking cessation treatment examinations throughout the process. Patients receiving services from the Near East University Smoking Cessation Clinic will also be able to receive remote support from healthcare personnel when needed.
The smoking cessation process was discussed on the basis of expert opinions…
In the “Smoking Cessation Treatment in All Aspects Panel”, the smoking cessation process was addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Baha and Prof. Dr. Arzu Balkan from the Department of Pulmonology at Near East University Hospital explained in detail the devastating effects of smoking on the respiratory system and informed participants about current diagnostic and treatment approaches. The presentations addressed the short- and long-term health problems caused by smoking and the scientific treatment methods applied in the cessation process.
In the psychological dimension of the panel, Clinical Psychologist Seren Kızılkaya and Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Denizgil Evre from the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at Near East University Hospital made presentations. The experts shared the psychological foundations of smoking addiction, the importance of behavioral change, and strategies supporting the permanent cessation process. Approaches that strengthen individual motivation and sustainable quitting methods were discussed. The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Özen Aşut from the Department of Public Health at Near East University Faculty of Medicine, and throughout the event, the importance of preventive health services and a multidisciplinary approach in the fight against smoking addiction was emphasized.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, emphasized that Near East University Hospital provides services with a holistic understanding encompassing treatment and preventive health services as well as education and research. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “With our structure that brings together education, research, and health services under one roof, we will offer personalized approaches in the fight against smoking addiction.”
Prof. Dr. Günsel, drawing attention to the fact that smoking addiction is more than just an individual habit, but a significant public health problem directly affecting community health, stated that Near East University Hospital has adopted producing scientific and sustainable solutions in this field as its fundamental mission. Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “As Near East University Hospital, we will resolutely continue to expand preventive health services that strengthen public health.”
Near East University Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Salih Müjdat Balkan emphasized that combating smoking addiction is not only an individual choice but also an important social responsibility. He also emphasized that smoking addiction leads to many health problems, from cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases to cancers and a significant decrease in quality of life. Balkan said, “It is crucial to offer a holistic approach to individuals who want to quit smoking, one of the most important preventable risk factors, including not only medical treatment but also psychological and behavioral support. We aim to make a lasting contribution to public health by offering scientifically based, interdisciplinary, and personalized treatment models under one roof with our Smoking Cessation Clinic, which will open on February 17th.”
