He noted that cigarette smoke contains the same toxic substances that smokers inhale. In small and poorly ventilated spaces, the level of harmful exposure can be comparable to that experienced by smokers.
The oncologist also emphasized that passive smoking is associated with the same diseases that affect smokers, such as lung cancer, bronchial asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
According to Balpaev, approximately 25% of the population in Kyrgyzstan smoke cigarettes, of which only 2-3% are women.
He added that the lungs of smokers lose their function 2-3 times faster compared to non-smokers. This is due to the hypertrophy of the bronchial mucosa caused by thermal burns. As a result, the elasticity of the mucosa decreases and the lungs' ability to self-cleanse worsens. The doctor recommends that those who want to quit smoking consult a family doctor, a pulmonologist, and also consider seeking advice from a psychologist or an addiction specialist.
