Since the end of 2019, the whole world has been engaged in a relentless fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the main symptoms of which are concentrated in the respiratory system. Already impacted by tobacco consumption, smokers’ lungs seem particularly exposed to this disease. However, studies have suggested that nicotine may protect them against severe forms of Covid. What’s really going on? We take a look at the links between smoking and Covid.
Covid-19 and smoking: does smoking reduce the risk of contamination?
Amazing clinical studies
With the SARS-CoV-2 (or Covid-19) pandemic expected to spread rapidly during the winter of 2019/2020, many scientific teams are looking into the factors that can predispose or, on the contrary, protect against the virus. Many of them have therefore naturally been interested in the links between smoking and Covid-19. Some studies have surprisingly shown that, among smokers screened, the rate of positive serology was lower than in the general population. This would mean that nicotine could have a protective effect against this coronavirus. But has this hypothesis since been validated?
A difficult hypothesis to confirm
Although, in view of the many pathologies caused by smoking, smoking to avoid contracting Covid-19 seems irrelevant, the relationship between nicotine and the virus is being closely studied. For the moment, nicotine’s potential protective action is just one of many avenues of research, and there’s nothing to confirm its existence.
A number of factors call into question the conclusions reached in the initial studies. Some of them followed a protocol that is the subject of debate, whether in terms of the selection of population samples or the collection and interpretation of data. Various biases may have influenced the results, including data not taken into account, such as the presence or absence of co-morbidities, the way in which the person seeks care and perceives his or her own health, the sensitivity of screening tests, and so on. Some studies have since been unpublished.
Tobacco and Covid 19: are smokers at greater risk?
Edifying figures from the WHO
According to WHO figures, smokers have a 40-50% greater risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19. This means that in the event of Covid contamination, they are more likely than non-smokers to be hospitalized, placed on mechanical ventilation, admitted to intensive care, or even die. One study even showed that the risk of severe disease in smokers could be increased by 80%.
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Tobacco, a recognized killer
Let’s not forget that every year in Saudi Arabia, tobacco is responsible for 70,000 deaths. In fact, it is the leading cause of avoidable death. And these figures were already very real before the Covid pandemic hit us. Particularly harmful to health, a cigarette contains over 4,000 harmful substances that can lead to numerous cardio-respiratory ailments: bronchitis, recurrent infections, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obstructive pulmonary disease, and more. These are all co-morbidities that can have a vital impact on the prognosis of Covid.
Smokers' actions help spread the virus
The habits and gestures associated with smoking can, in turn, encourage the circulation of viruses and contamination of smokers. The latter, for example, is more likely to manipulate his mask and puts his hands to his mouth more often. He also exchanges more germs with those around him by lending his lighter or cigarette pack. The famous smoker’s cough, for its part, can spread viruses and bacteria in the tobacco user’s environment.
Fight serious forms of Covid-19 by quitting smoking
As you can see, tobacco and covid19 don’t mix. It’s best to stop smoking to minimize the risk of contracting the virus and suffering severe forms of the disease it causes. Quitting smoking is probably the most beneficial thing you can do for your body.
To quit smoking quickly, without suffering or weight gain, you can opt for our revolutionary laserOstop® method, effective in a single one-hour session. Painless and unrestricted, it uses photobiomodulation to reduce the desire to smoke. Since 2020, it had helped over 300,000 smokers quit, and thousands more have since followed suit.
Are you concerned about the impact of smoking on your health in the event of Covid-19? Come and visit us at one of our specialized laserOstop® centers in Saudi Arabia.
