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With tobacco use believed to kill about eight million people each year, a report that smokers were less likely to get coronavirus raised their eyebrows last week.
The study, conducted by the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, stated that “current smoking appears to be a protective factor against SARS-CoV-2 infection” and that “nicotine may be suggested as a possible preventive agent against COVID- 19 infection. “
But the study also warned that “nicotine is a drug of abuse responsible for tobacco addiction.”
“Smoking has serious pathological consequences and remains a serious health hazard.”
Despite this, new information has clouded the evidence on the relationship between smoking and COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
So what do world health experts say? Are smokers less likely to get the virus?
No. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), those who smoke are more vulnerable to infections.
“The act of smoking means that the fingers (and possibly the contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with the lips, which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from the hand to the mouth,” the WHO said.
“Smoking products, such as hookahs, often involve sharing nozzles and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19 in community and social settings.”
“Smokers may also have lung disease or reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase the risk of serious disease.”
“Conditions that increase oxygen needs or reduce the body’s ability to use it properly will put patients at increased risk for serious lung diseases like pneumonia.”
Studies also show that smokers were more likely to die than nonsmokers during the 2012 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak.
In a further statement to Euronews, the World Health Organization says they are currently reviewing research and studies on smoking and nicotine.
“Current evidence suggests that the severity of COVID is higher among smokers.”
“The only people who should be using nicotine patches right now are the people who need to use them to quit smoking.”
A report released in March by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) also identified smokers as a “vulnerable group” to COVID-19 infection.
The ECDC says that increased expression of the ACE2 gene (angiotensin II converting enzyme) in lung tissues, somewhat increased by tobacco use, may be related to “increased susceptibility” to the coronavirus.
Although the available data may be limited, the scientific studies cited by the WHO and the ECDC state that smoking can make people more susceptible to the serious complications of a coronavirus infection.
The advice of the World Health Organization has also been echoed by national authorities across Europe.
A local Foundation for the UK National Health System has published information about the coronavirus that there is “an increased risk for people who smoke”.
“If you are going to quit smoking, this is a very good time to do it,” said Medical Director Prof. Chris Whitty.
The NHS guidelines also state that smoking increases the risk of “more than 50 serious health conditions.”
The French Ministry of Health has stated that smokers are not at increased risk of contamination, but are “more exposed to developing serious illnesses.”
France has severely restricted the sale of nicotine products after the recent study in Paris.
Pharmacies are now limited to selling no more than a month’s supply of any nicotine product intended to curb dependence on cigarettes.
Meanwhile, the online sale of products has been completely banned.
The Health Ministry said the measures were taken to “prevent the health risk related to excessive consumption or misuse” of nicotine products by people who hope to protect themselves from COVID-19.
The Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris plans to test the use of nicotine patches and other products in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
However, researchers are not encouraging citizens to smoke, due to other potentially fatal health risks that are involved.
Euronews has contacted the World Health Organization for the latest advice.
