Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 since the act of smoking means that the fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with the lips, increasing the possibility of transmission of the virus from the hand to the mouth.
Smokers may also have lung disease or reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase the risk of serious disease.
Smoking products, such as hookahs, often involve sharing nozzles and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of Covid-19 in community and social settings.
Conditions that increase the oxygen needs or reduce the body’s ability to use it properly will put patients at increased risk for serious lung diseases, such as pneumonia.
The WHO, in its frequently asked questions about the new coronavirus pandemic (or COVID-19) said: “Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) ) are in contact with the lips, which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from the hand to the mouth. Smokers may also have lung disease or reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase the risk of serious diseases. ”
The global health body has also warned that the sharing of equipment involving mouthpieces or hoses (say, vapes or cigarettes) in social settings could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19.
