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HOW DOES CIGARETTE SMOKE INCREASE INFECTION RISK?
Turkey Medicals hospital member and Turkish thorax Association Tobacco Working Group, which made a statement due to World smoking cessation day, noted that cigarette smoke increases the risk of infection with the virus.
Covid-19 infection has caused 2.5 million deaths worldwide since the beginning of the pandemic. Tobacco use causes 8 million deaths worldwide every year.
At the beginning of the Pandemic, there were false reports that the tobacco industry was involved, that smokers had a lower risk of covid-19 infections. But many subsequent studies showed that the risk of severe disease and death due to the Covid-19 virus was at least 2.5 times higher in patients using tobacco. The Turkish thorax Association Tobacco Working Group noted this risk, noting that smokers are also more likely to infect the virus through smoke, and made statements on February 9, world Smoking Cessation day.
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INCREASED RISK OF INFECTION BY CIGARETTE SMOKE
A statement noting the risk posed by smoking, hookah smoke included the following words:
“The World Health Organization also states that smokers can catch the Covid-19 virus more quickly because they often take their hands to their lips, and they can also pass the disease more seriously due to decreased lung capacity. In addition, smokers also increase the risk of infecting others with cigarette smoke if they carry the virus. The World Health Organization reports that tobacco products shared in common areas, such as hookahs, also increase transmission of the virus. As is known, tobacco use significantly increases the risk of respiratory diseases such as COPD and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Covid-19 infection also causes direct damage primarily to the lungs and cardiovascular system. Therefore, these diseases that develop due to the use of tobacco products are a direct risk factor for severe Covid-19 infection.”
“Smokers have covid-19 heavier ” smokers have Covid-19 heavier”
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HIGHER RISK OF DEATH IN SMOKERS
Noting that tobacco product use also weakens the immune response by different mechanisms, leading to an increased risk of respiratory infections, the Working Group concluded its statement as follows::
“For Covid-19, smoking has been identified as a clear risk factor for severe disease, attachment to a respirator, and death. Covid-19 infection causes months of permanent damage to the lungs of some patients, negatively affects respiratory function and significantly reduces their effort capacity. Smoking also has a healing retardant effect. Therefore, people who have Covid-19 infection should never smoke. People who smoke should turn the pandemic into an opportunity to quit smoking.
On the other hand, as the world struggles with the pandemic, the tobacco industry has tried to refresh its image and make it look public health friendly by donating personal protective equipment, respirators. In return, many countries have asked their governments to relax Tobacco Control and have tried to obtain licenses for newly heated tobacco products.
On February 9 2021, the Smoking Cessation day, the Turkish thorax Association Tobacco Working Group recommends that all tobacco users not come to the tobacco industry’s games and stop using tobacco, knowing that the pandemic is an opportunity.”
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