Smokers are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 disease, according to World Health Organization (WHO). That’s unsurprising, given the active ingredients in the smoke enter their respiratory system. Moreover, smoking tobacco is a ‘comorbidity’ in the sense it impairs lung function. And this makes it ‘more difficult for the body to fight off respiratory disease due to the new coronavirus’ according to WHO.
There’s Also Increased Danger of Hand to Face Contact
Smoking goes against the principles of wearing face masks in public, and keeping our hands away from our faces. World Health Organization explains ‘tobacco users have a higher risk of being infected with the virus through the mouth, while smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products’. This puts a new spin on sharing cigarettes as kids!
But that’s not all to the questionwhether smoking tobacco is a ‘comorbidity’ contributing to severe COVID-19 disease. Cigarette smokers also have a greater likelihood of this happening, because their pastime already compromised their lungs. Moreover this risk extends beyond cigarettes.
Other Methods of Smoking Tobacco Also ‘Comorbidities’
Water pipe smoking is ’typically an activity that takes place within groups in public settings’ according to WHO. The practice therefore also increases the risk of transmission of diseases, especially via the mouthpiece.
John Hopkins University points out that vapers remove their face masks to inhale and puff out. This increases the probability of them expelling the virus into the air if they have a COVID-19 infection. This is particularly concerning in enclosed spaces without ventilation.
So what can non-cigarette and non-water-pipe-smokers do about this risk, and non-vapers do to mitigate it? Not socializing with smokers might be a good start if this were possible. Beyond that, we have to rely on physical distancing, face masking, and avoiding indoor gatherings. And hoping they had the vaccine to protect themselves and us too.
Breaking News
Should We Wait for an Omicron Booster?
Where Did Omicron Come From and How?
Preview Image: Tobacco Users at Greater Risk
WHO Advisory About COVID-19 and Tobacco
