Epidemiologist on COVID-19 and smoking: little knowledge of people with this harmful habit

Available data suggests that the coronavirus COVID-19 virus belongs to the same family of viruses as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viruses, which are associated with cardiovascular damage. A study in China showed that COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disease had an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. There is evidence that COVID-19 is more likely to cause cardiac complications in patients with severe symptoms. The effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system may worsen the condition due to pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Tobacco use and the effects of tobacco smoke in smoky rooms are a major cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, so the link between COVID-19 and cardiovascular status is important. The weaker cardiovascular status among COVID-19 patients who have smoked can make them more vulnerable, increasing the risk of severe symptoms and death.

The COVID19 virus also affects the respiratory system, often causing moderate to severe respiratory damage. Tobacco also damages the respiratory system, weakens the immune system. There is no doubt that tobacco use is a major cause of lung cancer. Smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as it reduces the lung’s ability to absorb oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, and also causes mucus buildup, cough, and difficulty breathing. Smoking is considered a risk factor for many respiratory infections. Smoking e-cigarettes or incandescent tobacco also has a detrimental effect on airway mucosa and lung function, causing lung damage. Smokers are more likely to be at risk for COVID-19 infection because they already have other lung diseases that reduce their lung function and increase their chances of infection.

Because COVID-19 is a new disease, the link between smoking and the disease has not yet been established, which will take time. However, there is evidence that COVID-19 infection is more common in smokers.

Smokers are also likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 because fingers (possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with the lips during the smoking process, increasing the likelihood that the virus is transmitted from the hands through mouth.

Another reason why smokers are more vulnerable to COVID-19 is probably the harmful effects of smoking on the vibrating hairs that line the airways, which are very important in removing mucus, inhalable particles, and microorganisms. The chemicals in tobacco smoke decrease the movement of these hairs and, over time, destroy them, increasing the risk of infection.

Smokers are encouraged to stop smoking immediately. Even if you quit smoking only during this crisis, that is, during the period of this pandemic, it will be of great benefit to your lungs and greatly reduce your chances of getting sick if you have to be affected by COVID-19. Also, people who live with a smoker are exposed to tobacco smoke, even if they smoke outside. Therefore, people can be of great help to themselves, to those around them and to the health system by quitting smoking.