Smoking cessation during COVID-19: the top to-do list

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2021 May 6;31(1):22. doi: 10.1038/s41533-021-00238-8.

Abstract

As evidence continues to emerge, our understanding of the relationship between smoking and COVID-19 prognosis is steadily growing. An early outlook from World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that smokers are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease and are also more likely to be infected, as frequent motions from hand to mouth and sharing of tobacco products such as waterpipes increased the possibility of being infected. In this commentary, we discuss some of the latest evidence on smoking and COVID-19 and emphasise the need to promote the personal and public advantages of smoking cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / economics
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Telemedicine
  • Vaping / adverse effects

Substances

  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2