A Turkish health expert is warning about the dangers of “Maraş otu,” a substance popular in the Kahramanmaraş region, stating its high nicotine content poses significant health risks. The substance delivers nicotine directly into the body, and its effects are comparable to, and sometimes more severe than, those of smoking cigarettes. This is particularly concerning as nicotine use remains a leading preventable cause of disease and death worldwide.
Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi Uzmanı Prof. Dr. İdris Altun explains that the product’s nicotine is absorbed directly into the body. “Nikotinin vücuda doğrudan alındığını belirten Altun, bu nedenle söz konusu ürünün etkilerinin sigaradan çok farklı olmadığını söyledi,” he stated. This direct absorption means the health consequences can mirror those associated with cigarette smoking, including potential for more serious complications.
According to Prof. Dr. Altun, using “Maraş otu” can lead to a range of health problems, including lung issues, damage to blood vessels, and narrowing of the airways. It can also affect the sensitivity of the jaw nerve, potentially causing numbness. “Özellikle çene sinir duyusunu etkileyerek duyunun azalmasına yol açabilir. Dudağın altına yerleştirildiğinden bu durum çene bölgesindeki sinirleri etkileyebilir ve his kaybına yol açabilir,” he noted. Infection and tumor formation in the application area are also possible.
The substance also carries a high risk of addiction, with effects similar to those of cigarettes. “Bağımlılık potansiyeli oldukça yüksektir. Sigara gibi etkileri vardır. İnsanda ciddi sağlık sorunlarına neden olmaktadır,” Prof. Dr. Altun warned. However, he emphasized a key difference: “Sigaradan ayıran en büyük özelliği ise dudak kanseri, dil kanseri gibi sorunlara neden olmaktadır.”
“Maraş otu,” also known as “deli tütünü,” is typically prepared with wood ash, which contributes to its exceptionally high nicotine levels. Prof. Dr. Altun estimates that using the substance is equivalent to smoking eight packs of cigarettes a day. “Yüksek nikotin içeriği nedeniyle kullanan kişide günde 8 paket sigara içmiş kadar etki görülür,” he said. The findings underscore the importance of public health education regarding lesser-known nicotine delivery methods.
