The scale of the problem in Syria
Smoking in Syria is among the highest rates in the region. Recent studies suggest that more than half of adults use tobacco in some form, whether cigarettes, waterpipe, or both, with a clear difference between men and women.
Smoking is more common among men, but a significant share of women smoke too, and waterpipe makes up a larger part of their smoking. Local studies, such as surveys carried out in Aleppo, have recorded high rates of both cigarette and waterpipe smoking.
These numbers are not meant to frighten, but to show that smoking is not an isolated individual habit but a public health problem that touches millions of families. Understanding its scale is the first step toward dealing with it.
- Studies estimate that more than half of adults use tobacco.
- Rates are higher among men, but women's smoking exists and waterpipe forms a larger share of it.
- Local surveys in Aleppo recorded high rates of cigarette and waterpipe smoking.
Waterpipe is not less harmful
There is a common false belief that the waterpipe is less harmful than cigarettes, or that the water filters out the toxins. The truth is that a single waterpipe session can last around an hour, during which the smoker inhales a large amount of smoke, far more than in a single cigarette.
Waterpipe smoke contains addictive nicotine and harmful, toxic substances, in addition to carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal. Sharing the mouthpiece between people can also transmit some infections.
So treating the waterpipe as a safe or an innocent social choice is misleading. It is another form of tobacco use, and it carries real risks to the heart and lungs.
What does smoking do to your body?
Smoking affects almost every organ. It damages the walls of the arteries and speeds up their hardening, which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It also harms the lungs gradually and increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes lasting shortness of breath.
Smoking is also one of the leading causes of cancer, chief among them lung cancer, along with cancers of the mouth, throat, and others. It affects circulation and fertility, and makes conditions such as diabetes harder to control.
- Heart and arteries: hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Lungs: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, shortness of breath, and repeated infections.
- Cancer: cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, and others.
- The body overall: weakened circulation and fertility, and worsening chronic diseases.
Secondhand smoke and children
The harm of smoking is not limited to the smoker alone, but extends to those around them through what is known as secondhand smoke. Breathing in others' smoke at home or in the car exposes non-smokers to many of the same harmful substances.
Children are the most affected, as smoking around them is linked to more asthma attacks and ear and chest infections. A pregnant woman exposed to smoke may affect her unborn baby too. Protecting your family starts with keeping smoke away from where they are, and quitting altogether is best.
The benefits of quitting begin quickly
One of the most encouraging things about quitting is that the body starts to recover surprisingly fast. Within hours and days of the last cigarette, some markers begin to improve, and as weeks and months pass, breathing and circulation get better.
Over the longer term, the risk of heart disease and cancer falls gradually the longer you stay smoke-free. Quitting is beneficial at any age, so even those who smoked for many years gain a real benefit when they stop.
- Within days: your sense of taste and smell start to improve.
- Within weeks to months: breathing, circulation, and energy improve.
- Over the long term: the risk of heart disease and cancer falls gradually.
- At any age: quitting helps even after many years of smoking.
How do you quit? Practical steps
Quitting is a journey you can plan, not just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Start by setting a clear quit day, tell those around you so they can support you, and get rid of cigarettes, the waterpipe, and everything that reminds you of them in your surroundings.
Get to know the situations that push you to smoke, such as coffee, stress, or evening gatherings, and prepare an alternative for each. When it is difficult or withdrawal symptoms are bothersome, consult a doctor or pharmacist, who may help with tools such as nicotine replacement or support programs.
A relapse is not a final failure. Many who quit tried more than once before succeeding. If you go back to smoking, do not blame yourself too much, but learn from the situation and set a new day to try again.
- Set a clear quit day and tell those who will support you.
- Remove cigarettes, the waterpipe, and everything that reminds you of smoking.
- Prepare alternatives for trigger situations such as coffee and stress.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist for help when quitting is difficult.
- Treat a relapse as a learning step, not the end of the road.
The Sihtak app can accompany you on your quitting journey: set your quit day and track how many days have passed smoke-free to motivate yourself, and ask the AI assistant for general tips on handling cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can also log your blood pressure readings or health markers to notice the improvement over time, and follow the health of your family members and support them if they decide to quit too.
Frequently asked questions
Is the waterpipe less harmful than cigarettes?
No. A single waterpipe session can expose you to a large amount of smoke, far more than one cigarette, and the water does not filter out the toxins. Waterpipe smoke contains nicotine, harmful substances, and carbon monoxide, and it is a real form of tobacco use.
I only smoke a little, so does it still harm me?
Even light smoking carries risks to the heart and lungs, and there is no completely safe level of smoking. Cutting down is better than nothing, but quitting fully remains the best choice for your health.
I am afraid of gaining weight if I quit, what do I do?
Some people gain a little weight after quitting, but the benefit of stopping smoking far outweighs this. Weight can be managed with activity and a balanced diet, and you can consult a doctor or dietitian for a plan that suits you.
What is the best way to quit?
There is no single method that suits everyone. Planning a quit day, support from those around you, and handling triggers all help. When it is difficult, a doctor or pharmacist may suggest tools such as nicotine replacement or support programs to raise your chances of success.
Sources
This content is for health education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have symptoms that worry you, see your doctor.